Historic old Rhinebeck, echoes of two centuries; a Hudson River and post road colonial town

ISTORIC OLD

INEBECK.

HOWARD H.MORS

Class
Book

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Copyright N?.__C<

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.

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Copyright, 1908

By Howard H. Morse

First edition completed December, 1908

POCANTICO PRINTERY
Flocker & Hicks, . Tarrytown-on-Hudson, N. Y.

Artists, ) Edwin V. Marquardt, Khinebeck, N. Y.

Designers, >

Engravers, ) Royal Engraving Co., New York City

Binders, J. F. Tapley Co., . . New York City

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Echoes of Two Centuries

A ijufcsmt torr an& 5Pnst l&mb (Eolnntal GInum

WHEN; WHERE; BY WHOM SETTLED AND NAMED

THE WHYS AND THE WHEREFORES

WHO'S WHO AND WAS

IjtBtonral ; (Settralogtral ; Htflgrapfjtral ; ©rabtttnnal

An authentic summary of collated facts from records,
old papers, manuscripts, and the memory of man, of
value to those interested in this " old home town "

FULLY ILLUSTRATED

By HOWARD H. MORSE

Counsellor at Law

Rhinebeck, N. Y.

Published by the Author

Copyrighted, 190s ; all rights reserved

Two Guti--' Receive '

. Copyrlfc.i-. fcntry
OiASS CL^ AAC MO.

To Rhinebeckers

Native or adopted, dead or alive, their descendants.

relatives and friends, at home or elsewhere, this

collection of historic data is sincerely

Bvbuattb

FOREWORD

This book has grown out of a purpose
formed and a promise made many years ago.
It has been long* deferred but not forgotten.
Rhinebeck is one of the oldest settlements in
the State. It has " a past worthy of record/'
commencing- as far back as 1686. Its sons
and daughters, from the earliest time, were
connected with memorable events in colonial,
State and national affairs, and " ye olcle town "
shares in their dignity and importance.

Names and deeds are creditable and effect-
ive reminders of byg-one days. The story of
the " events themselves" is a long and inter-
esting one. It deserves to be better told.
Echoes of Two Centuries should stir the imag-
ination of the quick witted, awaken the dull
of soul, inspire the thoughtful mind, encour-
age the earnest worker. Incomplete as it is,
" Historic Old Rhinebeck " covers many years
of labor. It has been a pleasure. This writer
owes much to the town where he was born and
lived for over thirty years. His book will
not pay the debt, but it is a tribute to the
old home and to the memory of deserving-
men and women. The collection of data
upon which "Historic Old Rhinebeck " rests

as commenced by me in the fall of 1866, but
my friends — Tunis Wortman, Edwin Styles,
Alfred T. Ackert and others — antedated this
man^y 3^ears. Much of their invaluable work
was contributed to my collection. I here
acknowledge my indebtedness. This also ap-
plies to Edward M. Smith for documentary
transcripts. Especially am I grateful to the
many friends who, by their interest, kindness
and knowledge of local affairs, have fur-
nished much reliable material and assured
accuracy of facts related. To librarians and
others whose courtesy and assistance during
the past two or three years I have had in
verifying' incidents, names, dates, etc., I re-
turn sincere thanks. Edwin V. Marquardt, a
home artist of rare ability, whose work is
shown in many of the illustrations, has made
me and the reader his debtor. I feel sure his
labor will be appreciated. Fearful of mistakes,
regretting omissions, also errors in proofread-
ing, I submit "Historic Old Rhinebeck " to
the charitable consideration of friends of "ye
olde town."

Howard H. Morse.

December 1, 1908.

CONTENTS

Chapter Page

I The .Start; When; Where; by Whom 1

II The Beekman Epoch 18

III The Name 31

IV The Palatines 42

V The Streams, Mills and Docks 52

VI Roads 66

VII County, Ward, Precinct, Town 79

VIII Churches 106

IX Schools 199

X Why and Wherefore 219

XI Taverns 245

XII The Village 264

XIII Stage Coach Days 317

XIV River Travel 325

XV Bonding the Town 332

XVI Colonial Times and Later 344

XVII Rhinebeck in War Times 356

XVIII The Cemetery 363

XIX Rhinecliff 370

XX The Fraternities 375

XXI Violets 387

XXII Who's AVho and Was 394

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Page

Frontispiece

Portrait of Author

Buying Land from Indians 5

Partition Map of Kipsbergen 13

Making Survey of Beekman's Land 23

Margaret Beekman-Livingston 26

Old German Church 35

Buttermilk Falls 54

Kip's Ferry, 1760 64

Road Map 70

Toll-Gate 76

Stone Church 119

Reformed Dutch Church 140

Wurtemburgh Church 149

Miss Mary Garrettson 168

Episcopal Church 192

High School 212

Map of Beekman Land and Partition 221

Mills Dock 225

Taproom Scene 240

First Taverns 246

Old Hotel 250

Town Pump : 272

The Big Fire, May, 1864 279

General Training 287

Men Who Were 96,276, 282,294,300, 396

Old and New Methodist Church 306, 308

Doctor and One-Horse Shay 311

Stage Wagon 320

Horse Boat 327

Barge Milan 329

Soldiers' Monument 357

Small Pictures on Pages 68, 73, 75, 134, 345, 348, 351

Echoes of Two Centuries

CHAPTER I

THE START ; WHEN ; WHERE ; BY WHOM

"This is the place. Stand still, my friend —
Let us review the scene,
And summon from the shadowy past
The forms that once have been."

Adapted from Longfellow.

WHEN the white man first ventured on the
lands described in 1686 in an Indian deed
as "right over against the mouth of the
Redout Creek" (Rondout) is uncertain. He
came over the river from Esopus (Kingston),
which place was settled as early as 1658. This
was some thirty years after the Dutch West
India Company, through its colony at the
"Manhaltes," had obtained substantia] foot-
ing on that island and laid the foundation
for the city of New York. A settlement was
also made by them at Fort Orange (Albany)
in 1623.

1

2 Historic Old Rhinebeck

The first settlers in Esopus located at Wilt-
wick ; they were Holland Dutch and French
Huguenots. Brave, hardy, stern and intel-
ligent, brought together through religious
persecution in the old country, and now pio-
neers, united in a new country, by self inter-
est, religious sympathy, as well as the ties of
blood through intermarriage.

Hon. Francis R. Tillou (father of " Charley "
Tillou, at one time a resident of Rhinebeck),
recognized as an authority, writing of their ad-
vent in the colony of New York, says : " They
were of all ranks and occupations — men of
letters and science, agriculturists, artists,
surgeons, physicians, manufacturers, mechan-
ics, artisans, vineyardsmen, laborers and min-
isters, were included." The Hollander and
the Huguenot formed a great combination.
They have merited veneration and respect.
A worthy people, they had endured much for
conscience' sake and were willing to endure
more for the common good. It is said that to
their friends they were ever devoted ; to their
enemies always a terror.

From these people came the five partners,
Gerrit Artsen, Arie Roosa, Jan Elton, Hen-
drick Kip, and Jacob Kip, the first settlers on
the east bank of the Hudson river, called in
1702, Kipsbergen, and after 1737, Rhinebeck.

The Start ; When ; Where ; by Whom 3

They used the Dutch language in most cases,
but New York was then an English colony,
and that language was being taught and to
some extent then used. The determined vigor
and sturdy integrity of the Dutch character
were stamped upon all their public acts. They
knew what, as pioneers, was before them, and
they had both the will to do and the courage
to do it.

The Esopus Indians, a tribe of the Mohegan
nation, occupied this land as natural owners
in 1686, and probably for many centuries prior
thereto. It was a wilderness, but for them
"a happy hunting ground." The east side
Indians called themselves "Sepascos."

Many years' intercourse with the white man,
and frequent warfare with the Mohawks and
other tribes, in which they had the sympathy
and often the aid of the whites, made them
friendly. A trail led east from the river to
an Indian village on a natural sheet of water,
still called "Sepasco," and to a cave nearby
that they frequented. Matty s Sleight, in a
letter to Col. Philip Schuyler, written Octo-
ber 20, 1720, called this cave the "Sepeske-
not He] an," and charged the Indians with
" stelan " and hiding the "plunderen " there.
In recent years it has been known by the
name of Welch.

4 Historic Old Bhinebeck

During the summer of 1686 some of these
Indian owners sold and conveyed, as appears
03^ the record in Book AA, in the Ulster county
clerk's office, to Artsen, Roosa and Elton;
and by a paper writing1, not of record, but
still in existence, to Hendrick Kip, all the land
along the river, west of the two creeks, after-
wards called Kip and Landsman kills, from
Vanderburgh cove on the south to a line run
due west from where a traveled path or trail,
running north and south, that in 1703 became
the Kings highway, and in 1789 the post road,
crossed the upper creek (Kip's kill) on the
north. The place is now known as Hog
bridge. This crossing was then a ford, and
what is now the road, a trail.

A royal patent, covering and confirming
this sale by the "natural owners and posses-
sors of the same," as therein stated, bears
date June 2, 1688. The owners are described
in the deed of record as "young Indians,"
and some evidently had family names. Aran
Kee, Kreme Much, and Korra Kee sold to
Artsen, Roosa and Elton the south parcel,
while Ankony, Anamaton and Calycoon sold
to Kip the north parcel, and are described in
their deed as Esopus Indians and Sachems;
they had only a single name. The first three
each made a mark between the two words

The Start; When; Where; by Whom 5

Hendrick and Jacob Kip buying " Kipsbergen-Rhine-
beck " from the Indians at Esopns. There is Ankony ; at
his side, Calycoon ; behind Jacob Kip, Anamaton.

6 Historic Old Rhinebeck

forming" the name ; the last three each made
a mark before the name.* They are unique.

"A quitt rent " was reserved in the patent
for "his most sacred Majesty," of "the quan-
tity of eight bushels of good, sweet merchant-
able winter wheat," to be delivered annually
at the city of New York.

The patentees, as appears by deeds on
record, in Ulster county, in May, 1702, divided
the lands into five portions, made up of eight
nearly equal parcels to cover their individual
shares as agreed upon, and the whole tract
received the name of "Kipsbergen." It con-
tained about 2,200 acres. f

Following the purchase and patent they
engaged in clearing their land and preparing
it for occupancy. They were home makers.
In religion they were "Reformed Dutch"
and strict churchmen.

In 1700 the first house on the patent was
erected by Hendrick Kip on his south lot. It
is of stone and still standing, though since
much enlarged and improved. It now bears
the name of the "Heermance house." In
1728 it was the residence of Col. Henry Beek-
man, and thence enjoys a noted colonial and
revolutionary history.

*For these, deeds and royal patent see Appendix.
t See map, page 13.

The Start; When; Where; by Whom 7

This first house was a small affair and is
on the east end of the present structure. The
sashes, heavy and ungainly, and the window
panes, ill-shaped and obscure, are still in evi-
dence, carrying- one hack to the colonial days,
confirming the age of this part of the house,
and giving the whole place an old-time ap-
pearance. Two port holes near the roof, on
the river front, at one time existed ; one of
them is still there, and many stories are told
of their origin and their object, but there is
nothing authentic in any of them.* On the
east side is a stone lintel inscribed " Ao 1700
HK AK." These are the initials of the names
of the owner and his wife.

They had five children. A daughter mar-
ried Mattys Sleight. He bought of his father-
in-law in 1718 a portion of the land and built
a house a short distance to the south and
west, but nearer the river. This is now the
Radcliffe farm. The Sleight dock, now spelled
" Slate," is on this land. This dock gets its
present name from the slate quarry on the
Clinton side of the town line. It became a

*The noted author, Cooper, is authority for the state-
ment, that " It is a matter of history that the settle-
ments on the eastern shores of the Hudson," from
Poughkeepsie north, "were not regarded as safe as
late as 1745 from Indian incursions," and that houses
were erected with " loopholes constructed for defense
against the same crafty enemy."

8 Historic Old Rhinebeck

public dock when the shipment of slate from
it was considerable. This was after 1805.
For many years following- it was the prin-
cipal dock in the town. It was Sleight's
landing", though, long before it was christened
" Slate dock." It was also Radcliffe's.

The eldest son, John Kip, married in 1703,
Lysbet Van Kleeck. He built a stone house
near the fork of a path leading east and
south from the river on his father's north lot.

The other Kip patentee, Jacob, had nine
children. He built a stone house on the west
side of his lot, in 1708, near what became the
ferry landing, in 1752, and afterwards the
Long dock. It is there now, owned and occu-
pied by F. G. Cotting; "Century home."

The Kips are still on the ancestral estate,
named by ex-Supervisor William Bergh Kip,
the father of the present owner, "Ankony,"
after the Indian first mentioned in the old
Kip deed.

Log huts, or dugouts roofed over, might
have preceded these stone buildings during*
the period of clearing. Frame and brick
structures came later.

The houses erected at this time were usually
square in form, one story in height, with two
rooms and a garret. The ceilings were low,
generally not exceeding seven or eight feet.

The Start; When; Where; by Wliom 9-

The fireplaces and ovens were the most
important adjuncts. These, with a broad -
throated chimney, which rose from a gable
end, were built of stone, brick and mortar.
An oven, extending- out and beyond, was usu-
ally built on one side of the house. The floor
beams were well selected, clear of knots,,
dressed with the adz to a smooth surface,
frequently polished, and in some instances
ornamented with carving. The upper floor
planks were dressed, tongued and grooved on
the lower side, to make the ceiling of the
lower room. Shingle covering- was used for
the roofs. A dormer window lighted the gar-
ret. Round glasses, called bull's-eyes, were
placed in the upper part of the outer doors.
The beams in the living rooms were made
useful for hanging' baskets and buckets on,
and usually held many articles of ordinary
use, such as the tools and arms of the burgh-
ers, and many household utensils. The win-
dows had shutters of wood, turning- on heavy
iron hing-es. The front door was cut in two
in the middle, and had a knocker of brass or
iron. The hinges, latches and nails were usu-
ally made by the home blacksmith.

Such houses were easily enlarged as required
by the addition of more rooms constructed on
the same plan. These houses made comfor-

10 Historic Old Rhinebeck

table homes, and received the assiduous care
of the Dutch housewives and their daughters.
Many of these houses were objects of admira-
tion and pride in their day, and those still
standing- are to-day.

Artsen, Roosa and Elton, as well as the
two Kips, were burghers of good repute, and
each had some means. The following "Cer-
tificate of Character," translated from the
Dutch, was given the father and mother of
Annetje Gerritsen, the mother of Gerrit Art-
sen, on their departure, with their children,
for America in 1660.

"We, Burgomasters, Schepens, and Councillors of
the city of Wagennin, declare, by these presents, that
there appeared before us Hendrick Elissen and Jordiz
Speiers, citizens of this city, at the request of Gerrit
Gerritsen and Anna Hermansse his wife. That they
have testified and certified, as they do by these
presents, that they have good knowledge of the above-
named Gerrit Gerritsen and Anna Hermansse his wife
as to their life and conversation, and that they have
always been considered and esteemed as pious and
honest people, and that no complaint of any evil or dis-
orderly conduce has ever reached their ears ; on the
contrary they have always led quiet, pious, and honest
lives, as it becomes pious and honest persons. They
especially testify that they govern their family well,
and bring up their children in the fear of God, and in
all modesty and respectability. As the above-named
persons have resolved to remove and proceed to New
Netherlands, in order to find greater convenience, they

The Start; When; Where; by Whom 11

give this attestation, grounded on their knowledge of
them, having known them intimately, and having been
in continual intercourse with them for many years,,
living in the same neighborhood.

" In testimony of the truth, we, the Burgomasters of
the city, have caused the secret seal of the city to bp-
imprinted on this paper.

"Done at Wagennin, 27th November 1660.

" By the Ordinance of the same.

(Seal.) "J. Aquelin."

" A correct translation from the Dutch of the orig-
inal document.

(Drawing of Seal.) "Thomas DeWitt."

Similar certificates were given by Burgo-
masters to other reputable emigrants. '

Gerrit Artsen was the son of Aart Jacob-
son, who was also from Wagennin, and An-
netje Gerritsen. He was born in 1662. His
grandfather was Jacob Aart. Combining the
names of his parents as his father had done,
he became Gerrit Artsen. This was the cus-
tom in those days. Pronunciation controlled
the spelling. Artsen brought with him, in
1702, when he came to live upon and culti-
vate his land, ten children. They took, when
they settled in "ye olde town," as the family
name, Van Wagenen, because the parents
came, as the certificate states, from a place
in Holland, called Wagennin. This was also
a Dutch custom.

Gerrit Artsen married, in 1681, Clara Pells,

12 Historic Old Rhinebeck

a daughter of Evert Pells, of Esopus, who, in
1G51, was a tenant of Anneke Jans on her
farm on Manhattan Island. A brother-in-
law, named Evert, also came upon this land
with him. He brought the name of Pells into
the town.

One of Artsen's daughters married Hen-
drickus Heermance, a relative of Grand-
mother Gerritsen, and another Jacobus Van
Vradenburg-h ; both sons-in-law located on
this land. These names are still with us.
The Heermance portion of the Artsen lot
(No. 3) is now the main part of the beautiful
estate called " Ellerslie."

On lots Nos. 1 and 4, with Roosa, who was
a brother-in-law of Artsen, having: married
Maria Pells, another daughter of Evert, and
who was in 1T00, and continued to be for sev-
eral years, captain of a sloop, came six chil-
dren; his son-in-law, Laurens Osterhout; also
a Van Etten and an Ostrander, each related
to him by the marriage of sons. Part of the
Roosa lot (No. 1) is the "Linwood" of early
times. Dr. Thomas Tillotson, a surgeon on
Washington's staff during- the revolution, and
a statesman of note afterwards, lived there.
It is still known as "Linwood."

Accompanying- Elton on lots Nos. 2 and 5,
came five sons and four sons-in-law, Newkirk,

The Start; When; Where; by Whom 13

170 0,

tn

Map of the partition of Kipsbergen, made by
deeds in May, 1702. See reference to same on
page 6, and farther disposition thereof on pages
12 and 14. The Kips divided their two-fifths as
shown on map.

14 Historic Old Ehinebeck

Wynkoop, Paulding and Du Bois, Among
them the Elton portion was partitioned. The
ever-to-be remembered "Wildercliff " is on
Elton's lot No, 2. " Ferncliff " is on the Kip
north lot. These and other country seats of
ii ye olde town," their history and owners, are
entitled to more extended description. They
make a separate chapter.

Parts of lots Nos. 5 and 6 form the
present village of Rhinecliff. On lot No. 6
was "Schatzel's dock," for many .years a
public dock. It is the present landing of the
Rhine beck and Kingston ferry. Van Wag-
enen farms of colonial days were on lot No. 6.
One became the Hutton place, and is now a
home for convalescent children.

The river was the only highway; traders
followed it, and settlers kept near the water.
The river bank then, as now, was the most
desirable land. The sloop or sailboat was the
principal means of transit. These were nu-
merous. The river was dotted with sail.
The "aquatic Dutch" appreciated its value
and profited by it.

Esopus was the trading point for the early
settlers in Kipsbergen, and was easily reached
by them with scow and skiff. They attended
church there. It was the home of their
friends. It had regular communication, as

The Start; When; Where; by Whom 15

wind and weather permitted, with New York

and Albany by sloops as frequent as necessary.

This advertisement in the New York Gazette

in April, 1734, is interesting- in this connection:

" These are to give notice that Evert Bogardus now
plys in a boat on the Hudson River, between JSew
York and Esopus. If any gentlemen or merchants
have any goods to send to Ryn-Beck or Esopus, he
will carry such goods as cheap as is usually paid for
carrying to Esopus. He will be at New York once a
week, if wind and weather permits and comes to Coen-
ties Slip."

This slip runs from Pearl street to the river,
and at its foot are piers 6, 7 and 8 on the East
river. It still bears the name of Coenties.

Capt. Evert Bogardus was the grandson of
the " dominie," the husband of Anneke Jans,
and was the father of Everardus, who settled
on "the flatts" in 1769, and was the tavern
keeper, in what is now the "old hotel," dur-
ing the revolution.

Esopus, * in 1700, had several large stores
well stocked with merchandise of the period.
Manufacturing was carried on. Homes were
numerous and comfortably furnished. It was
a business centre; the shire town of both
Ulster and Dutchess counties.

*In 1669 the English tried to change the name to
Kingston, but the Dutch preferred Esopus, and it was
still so called in 1700, and for many years after.

1G Historic Old Rhinebeck

These counties, in 1691, formed one Assem-
bly District and elected representatives to the
first General Assembly.

What was needed for every ordinary pur-
pose could be procured in Esopus. Barter
was, as the rule, the method of buying" and
•selling-. It was, prior to 1700, the only im-
portant village on the river between New
York and Albany. Ministers, doctors, teach-
ers, lawyers, artisans and laborers lived there
and followed their vocations. This was the
fortunate condition of affairs when the first
Kip house was erected.

These early settlers were not far from the
conveniences of the period, the necessaries of
life, or separated from their old homes and
friends. The ways and means to make a new
settlement were at their hand.

In reviewing- the past and giving- proper
credit to the pioneers in "ye olde town," we
-cannot withhold full meed of praise to Artsen,
Roosa, Elton and the Kips, the ancestors or
the precursors of the old Rhinebeck families
of Bergh, Barnes, Bog-ardus, Brown, Bates,
Carroll, Curtis, Cross, Cotting-, Champlin,
Cooper, Cowles, Cramer, Cox, Crapser, Du
Bo is, De Lamater, De Witt, Drury, Elting-,
Elmendorf, Fox, Fowkes, Gardener, Hoag,
Heermance, Hagadorn, Holdridge, Houghta-

The Start ; Where; When; by Whom 17

ling-, Hendricks, Hanaburgh, Jacques, Jen-
nings, Judson, Lorillard, Landon, Lewis, Kier-
sted, Kissam, Marshall, McCarty, Newkirk,
Nelson, Noxon, Ostrander, Osterhout, Pot-
tenburgh, Paulding, Piatt, Pells, Potter,
Quick, Radcliffe? Peed, Russell, Shields, Sey-
mour, Sleight, Schell, Sprague, Schoonmaker,
Styles, Teller, Tomlinson, Tremper, Tapping",
Van Auken, Van Wagenen, Van Steenbergh,
Van Etten, Van Vliet, Van Vredenburgh,
Van Keuren, Van Hovenburgh, Welch, Wil-
son, Wynkoop, and others.

It has been well said that :

"It is a task of pleasing* curiosity to trace
the history of their families and posterity, and
singular to find how generally beneficial they
were to the neighborhood in which they set-
tled ; how distinguished many of them were
lor exalted virtues and rare endowments."

CHAPTER II

THE BEEKMAN EPOCH

" Who keeps one end in view, makes all things serve."

Browning.

THE name of Beekman is inseparable from
Rhinebeck. Judge Henry Beekman, the
patentee, was a son of Wilhelmus Beekman,
who was born in Hasselt in 1623, and came to
New Netherlands in 1647, when Peter Stuy-
vesant was governor. He was in the employ
of the West India Company. He married
Catherine, a daughter of Capt. De Boagh, a
trader on the Hudson river, in 1649. He died
in 1701. He was a man of ability, wealth and
influence.

Judge Henry, his son, was born in 1651,
and was forty-four years of age when, in 1695,
he applied for "a patent for land in Dutchess
county, lying opposite Esopus creek, and
known by the name of Sepeskenot." The
Indian name was "Sepasco." He obtained
this patent April 22, 1697, nearly nine years
after the Artsen, Roosa, Elton and Kip
patent.

He was also antedated by the Pawling pur-
chase, which covered Staatsburgh, now m the

18

The Beekman Epoch 19

town of Hyde Park, and by the patent of Col.
Peter Schuyler, which covered in part what
is now the town of Reel Hook. The southern
boundary of the Schuyler patent on the river
was a small brook called "Steen Valetje."*

The Beekman patent covered the land north
of Jacob Kip's to Schuyler and east of the two
creeks (the easterly boundary of the Artsen,
Kip and Company patent) to a " certain pond
called by the Indians " Waraughkeemeek "
(Pine swamp) and south to the Pawling
(Hyde park) line. He had only a small front-
age on the river between Kip and Schuyler.f
South of him was the Pawling- purchase owned
by Henry Pawling in his lifetime.

Pawling died in 1695, the year Beekman
applied for his patent. His will was made
in 1691. He left this property to his wife,
Neetlje Roosa, a sister of Arie Roosa, for her
lifetime, or until she should remarry, with
remainder to their children. This property
joined that of Arie Roosa on the south.

On May 26, 1701, the widow Pawling and
her children sold it to Samuel Staats and Dirck
Vanderburgh, of the city of New York, for one
hundred and thirty pounds. A combination of
" Staats" and " burgh" gave the region the

* Little Stone Falls.

f " Mills" dock was on Beekman's land.

20 Historic Old Rhinebeck

name of Staatsburgh. This locality attracted
settlors along- the river bank soon after Staats
and Vanderburgh became the owners.*

The Schuyler and Pawling lands, as well as
those of Beekman, formed with Kipsbergen in
1737 the "RynBeck" precinct, as established
by Chapter 652 (passed Dec. 16, 1737), Colonial
Laws. Prior thereto this precinct was the
North ward of Dutchess county. The Beek-
man part was about one-fourth of the whole.

Judge Henry Beekman came with his father
to Esopus in 1663. He married Joanna De
Lopes. He had four children, two sons and
two daughters. The eldest son, William, died
when eighteen years of age. The second son,
Henry, junior, was born in 1688. The eldest
daughter, Catherine, born in 1683, married
John Rutsen ; they had four children. Cor-
nelia, born in 1690, married Gilbert Living-
ston, son of Robert the "Lord of the Manor,'7
by whom she had fourteen children. These
constituted the Beekman family of Esopus

Henry, junior, the first Beekman who made
his residence in Rhinebeck, married Janet
Livingston in 1721. This was after the death
of his father, the patentee, which occurred in
1716. The elder Henry, the judge, should be

* For a description of Staatsburgh when it was part
of Rhinebeck, see Appendix.

The Beekman Epoch 21

described as a man "who keeps one end in
view." He did make "all things serve" his
purpose. An earnest, plain, practical, far-
seeing- business man. He lived in Kingston ;
never in Rhinebeck. He was a county judge,
a colonel of the militia, and held other offices
in Ulster county.

Judge Beekman was not satisfied with his
first patent, and six years later, on June 25,
1703, he obtained another. This later patent
covered all of the Artsen-Kip patent, called
Kipsbergen, and much of Col. Peter Schuy-
ler's. He soon had trouble about boundaries,
for Schuyler forced him down from the Saw-
kill (Quaningquious) on the river, to "Steen
Valet je," the small brook below, for his north
line ; this is the present division boundary be-
tween the towns of Rhinebeck and Red Hook.
It does not appear that he ever asserted any
claim to Kipsbergen, but on March 19, 1726,
Col. Henry, the son, executed a formal re-
lease and quit claim of his paper title.

On the 9th day of August, 1715, Col. Henry,
the son, bought of Peek De Witt and Maritje,
his wife, then owners, five thousand five hun-
dred and forty-one acres of the Col. Schuyler
land on the north of the Beekman patent.*
This gave the Beekmans title to all the land

*For Beekman release and DeWitt deed see Appendix.

22 Historic Old Rhinebeck

in the present town of Khinebeck except Kips-
bergen; also part of Red Hook.*

The elder Beekman early sought settlers for
his lands. He saw the need for, as well as
the advantages of, a grist and saw mill near
the river, accessible from the settlements on
Artsen, Roosa, Elton and Kip's lands and
below. Location was very important. The
settlers' convenience had to be considered.
There were a number of them by 1709 ; thirty
or more families. The place he finally se-
lected, however, was not on his land. It was
on the land of Capt. Arie Roosa. He bought
the land required of Roosa about 1710, built a
dam on his land adjoining, and a saw and
grist mill and dock on the Roosa land, which
was on the river front, on what is still known
as Vanderburgh cove.

These mills were well located. Grain and
logs could be taken to them by water as well
as by land, and flour, feed and timber away
as desired. They were serviceable to settlers
on both sides of the river, above and below.
The judge deeded this mill property to his son
in 1713.

During the fall of 1714 Judge Beekman,
with a surveyor named John Beatty, assisted

* For a description of Red Hook when it was part of
Rhinebeck, see Appendix.

The Beekman Epoch

23

Judge Beekman, Surveyor John Beatty and Cham-
bearer Tunis Pier making survey in October and JNo-
vembpr, 1714, of Beekman's land in Rhinebeck. -brom
this survey John Beatty made the map dated Novem-
ber 29. 1714.

M Historic Old Rliinebeck

by a young- man named Tunis Pier, as chain-
bearer, laid out lands "for the High Butch-
ers/' as the Palatines were called, and made
a map of the Beekman patents of 1697-1703 in
the present town.

About 1715 the promises of father and son
brought many Palatines to Khinebeck. Liv-
ingston influence helped. Henry, junior, was
"a chip of the old block. ,r His sister had
married a Livingston, and this made it a
family affair. Thereafter "ye olde town "
prospered.

Communication by sloops was established
from the dock on the cove about 1716, with
New York, Albany and other places along
the river, by Col. Henry Beekman, Jr. Boat
building- was also engaged in.

Among the Palatines were several ship
carpenters and an aquatic German, named
Progue; he entered the Beekman service and
became a sloop captain. Craftsmen of dif-
ferent trades appeared and soon found profit-
able employment.

The creek (Landsman) that furnished the
water to turn the wheels at the mill was the
western boundary of Judge Beekman's land,
and is called in the Roosa-Beekman deed the
" mill creek." These mills were probably the
first erected in Dutchess county, and in 1710

Tlie Beekman Epoch 25

they were, says the local historian (Smith),
"on the borders of a wilderness whose very
few white settlers were confined to the shores
of the river."

This section, with its woods, hills, valleys,
lakes and streams, must have been for the
Indians and early settlers hunting* and fish-
ing- grounds that would have excited the
envy of anj^ Nimrod or Walton, savage or
civilized.

Judge Beekman brought to his assistance,
in the erection of these mills and the devel-
opment of his land, two sturdy, energetic,
capable men, who proved valuable acquisi-
tions to the neighborhood. One was Casper
Landsman, soon installed as the miller. He
gave his name to the creek, which he sub-
sequently explored and selected mill sites
on. The other was William Traphagen, the
artisan, who planned and built these and
other mills and buildings in the early days.

Soon after the post road was opened Trap-
hagen purchased a large tract of the elder
Beekman, who described it in the deed dated
February 17, 1711, as a "plain." It was about
a mile in length, starting from the junction
of the two kills below the sand hill, and
bounded south and west by Kip's (Rhinebeck)
and Landsman kills. The easterly boundary

26 Historic Old Rhinebeck

was along the post road, near to Hog bridge.
This bridge gets its name, because in 1715 and
afterwards, the Ostranders allowed their hogs
to wallow in the mud on the borders of the kill
about the roadside.

Traphagen called his purchase "the flatts,"
by which name it was known for more than
a century. He settled upon it four or five
years before he got his deed and built in L709
a stone house which served as a tavern, and
in later years was known as the "old state
prison." Why, is a conundrum. This house
was on the north side of the Sepasco trail or
path to the river, now West Market street,
and between Garden and Oak streets, in the
village; it was torn down about 1882. Trap-
hagen founded the village.

In 172G Col. Henry Beekman, Jr., became
the owner, through an exchange of property,
of the Kip house (Heermance), near the river,
and moved into it. He enlarged and im-
proved it, and lived there until his death in
1776. He was eighty-eight years of age at
the time of his death. He had been twice
married. His first wife, Janet Livingston,
died in 1724 ; by her he had two children, one
a son, who died in infancy, and the other a
daughter, Margaret, who married her cousin,
Robert R. Livingston, the grandson of the

MARGARET BEEKMAN-LIVINGSTON

Daughter of Col. Henry Beekman, Jr.. and Janet Livingston; wife

of Robert Livingston; the mother of four great

men and six noted women

The Beekman Epoch 27

lord of the manor.* Col. Henry subsequently
married Gertrude Van Cortlanclt, his second
wife ; she became, in 1728, the mistress of his
Rhinebeck home. She had no children.

It very soon became famous as the Beek-
man mansion, and until the revolution was
well under way, the g*reat men of the period
were cordially received and entertained there.
Col. Henry and his accomplished wife were
lavish entertainers. They and their relatives
were in every sense "first citizens." They
were patriots and leaders in the continental
cause.

Within the walls of the Kip-Beekman-Heer-
mance house frequently gathered notables
from every section, and the decade before
the Lexington-Bunker hill battles witnessed
many conferences of patriot sons under its
roof to formulate plans in the interest of the
colonies.

Margaret Beekman Livingston had ten chil-
dren, and not the least of the Beekman equip-
ment of "ye olde town" was their progeny

* Their son, Robert R., was the Chancellor Livingston
who administered the oath of office to Washington as
first president ; he was a member of the Continental
Congress and one of the committee that drafted the
Declaration of Independence. He was also Minister
to France, and made the Louisiana purchase. As the
financial backer of Robert Fulton he aided in build-
ing the first steamboat.

28 Historic Old Ehinebeck

and folio win st. The Livingstons, Schuylers,
Montgomery s, Rutsens, Garrettsons, Tillot-
sons, Suckleys, Armstrongs, Lewises, Astors,
Duers, and many others, whose names are
written indellibly on the pages of our coun-
try's history, became identified with Rhine-
beck, directly or indirectly, because of their
relation to Col. Henry Beekman, Jr., who,
succeeding his father at his death in 1716, led
the line, and was, until 1776, the guiding
spirit in town affairs. The pages of history
show that Rhinebeck can justly count with
pardonable pride among its founders and chil-
dren many memorable families and not a few
illustrious ones. In this respect it is without
a rival . For nearly two centuries the Beek-
man-Livingston-Schuyler alliance and their
descendants kept these names on the rolls
of the Empire State by ability, worth and
patriotism, by remarkable gifts in legislation
and administration and generous devotion to
the public welfare.

When Ulster and Dutchess formed one col-
onial assembly district, from 1691 to 1713,
Henry Beekman, the elder, and Jacob Rutsen,
were the representatives. In 1713 Dutchess
became a separate district, and Leonard
Lewis, a relative of Gen. Morgan Lewis, was
its representative. In 1725 Col. Henry Beek-

The Beekman Epoch. 29

man, the son, became a representative from
Dutchess, which office he continued to hold
until 1759 when Robert R. Livingston, his
son-in-law and Henry Livingston, his nephew,
became the representatives. The death of Col.
Henry Beekman, in 1776, carried away the
name of Beekman from the town, but left that
of Livingston instead. This name was a fix-
ture for nearly one hundred and fifty years.
The death of Lewis H. Livingston, in 1893,
eliminated it. Bearing old names of old fam-
ilies, from the Beekman source, only Col.
John Jacob Astor and Mr. Robert B. Suckley,
as heads of families, survive. Descendants,
however, bearing other names, of the Beek-
man-Livingston blood, remain. " Grasmere,"
of colonial memory, once the property of Gen.
Richard Montgomery, and after the revolu-
tion the residence of Gen. Morgan Lewis, be-
came the Livingston homestead in "ye olde
town." It is on the Beekman patent. In the
making of the state and nation its occupants
bore from the start a conspicuous part.

"The Grove," the residence of Col. Philip
J. Schuyler, who married Sarah Rutsen, of
Beekman-Livingston ancestry, and built the
mansion, now the property of a descendant,
Dr. George N, Miller, is also on the Beekman
patent. Col. Philip was the son of Gen. Philip

30 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Schuyler. " Ye olde town " in its Livingstons
and Schuylers made valuable contributions to
our country's fame.

In his political history of the State of New
York De Alva Stanwood Alexander says : —
"What Caesar said of Gaul used to be said
of the Empire State, that all New York was
divided into three parts — the Clintons, the
Livingstons and the Schuylers." Parton said,
" The Clintons had power, the Livingstons had
numbers and the Schuylers had Hamilton."

Rhinebeck had the Livingstons and the
Schuylers.

CHAPTER III

THE NAME

" Who hath not own'd, with rapture smitten frame,
The power of grace, the magic of a name?"

Campbell.

FROM time immemorial places, persons and
things have had names. Simply as a mat-
ter of convenience names are desirable. The
selection of an appropriate name for a loca-
lity is not easy. In most cases chance is re-
sponsible for the first choice. Names cer-
tainly preceded the advent of the white man
on the east bank of the river opposite the Re-
dout (Rondout) creek. This creek was also
known as "Esopus."

In the "Calendar of Land Papers" it ap-
pears that the land Judge Beekman obtained
his patent for, "lying- opposite the Esopus
creek," had the name of Sepeskenot. The
Dutch balked at Sepasco.

Beekman's patent is rich in names. Quan-
ingquious, Waraughkeemeek, Metambesem,
are attached to this land, and from other old
land papers of about the same date we find
those of Tanquashqueak, Quanelos, Mansak-
enning, Sepasco applied to it somewhere.
31

32 Historic Old Bhinebeck

These, with others now lost, were Indian
names, pertinent to places, brooks, meadows,
woods, etc. They were certainly euphonious,
and undoubtedly appropriate and descriptive.

Indian names most likely confounded and
confused the Dutch. They were beyond their
understanding". Quaningquious was sacrificed
for Vanderburgh cove ; Waraughkeemeek for
"Ferer Cot" or Pine Swamp; it is about
three miles east of Upper Ked Hook; Me-
tambesem for Sawkill, a creek in Reel Hook
once of some local importance. Tanquash-
queak became first Schuyler's and next Rad-
cliffe's fly. Quanelos fell to Sleight's kill, be-
cause it was Hendrick Kip's southern bound-
ary, and it became his son-in-law's, Mattys
Sleight's, in 1719. Mansakenning was trans-
formed into Jacomyntie's fly. Sepasco alone
remains to testify that the Indian with an
" untutor'd mind," in his simple nature, recog-
nized the eternal fitness, power of grace and
magic of an appropriate name.

The first appearance of a name made by the
white man for the lands on the east bank of
the river, opposite Esopus creek, on county
records, was in 1712, in a deed wherein Laurens
Osterhout describes himself as a resident of
" Kipsbergen in Dutchess county." This name
covered the Artsen, Roosa, Elton, Kip pur-

The Name 33

chase, and must have been applied to the
locality soon after they entered into occu-
pation.

It does not appear that Judge Beekman con-
cerned himself much about a name for his land
prior to 1712. He was apparently contented
with "Sepeskenot." "We find him using- the
name "~Ryn Beck" in a letter for the first
time in 1713. In a deed dated November 29,
1714, of one hundred and twenty-four acres of
his land which he had sold to two brothers,
Peter and William Ostrander, of Esopus, he
says that the land is in "Ryn Beck." This
land was on the east side of the Kings high-
way, now the post road, where Kip's kill
(Rhinebeck creek) crosses it, near the present
Hog bridge. A map made by John Beatty,
bearing the same date as the Ostrander deed,
November 29, 1714, has this endorsement, "on
ye bounds of ye said Col. Beekman, called
Reinebaik, in Dutchess County." The Os-
trander land in after years was known as the
William Van Steenbergh farm. The well-
known "Cooper house," where Dr. Ananias
Cooper lived before and during the revolu-
tion, was on this farm. It was a short dis-
tance north of the land bought by WTilliam
Traphagen, in 1706, for which he obtained a
deed in 1711, and which he named "•' the flatts."

34 Historic Old Rhinebeck

On the 28th of February, 1715, three months
after the Ostrander purchase, Judge Beek-
man sold to " Jacob Kip, of Kipsbergen,"
eighty-nine acres of land "at Ryn Beck,"
which he describes as "all the high land that
lies between ye said Jacob Kip's east bounds
or lyne to ye southern bounds of Peter and
William Ostrander." This later became the
Cramer farm, and with twenty-four acres Kip
bought of Traphagen the Champlin farm.
These farms are on the northwest corner of
the present village, and are the proper t3^ of
Col. John Jacob Astor. Other remembered
owners are John Van Wagenen, Henry B.
Welcher and Griffen Hoffman. They are south
of the creek and west of the road. In the
Ostrander deed reference is made to lauds,
made their northeast boundary, laid out for
the "high Dutchers." Judge Beekman was at
this time seeking the dissatisfied Palatines as
tenants, and had laid out lands, making the
vicinity of the present "stone church" a
"dorf " for them. He offered inducements to
influence their coming. He probably thought
a home-sounding name might allure them to
it. They were the "high Dutchers" referred
to. In religion they were mostly Lutherans,
but some were Calvinists or Reformed Dutch.
During 1715 they arrived.

The Name

35

The first church in the town and county. The
German church at Kirchehoek in Rhinebeck.
Built in 1716. Used in common by the Luther-
ans and Calvinists until 1729 ; then by the
" Reformed Protestants " until about 1800-2,
when it was removed. As the Rhinebeck church
it stood a monument to the name.

36 Historic Old Ehinebeck

On October 8th of that year these Palatines.,
through Rev. John Frederick Hager, John
Cast and Godfrey de Wolven, who claimed to
represent sixty or more families, petitioned
Gov. Hunter for a license to build a church in
"Kingsbury/' the name Hager selected for
this locality. The church came, but for some
reason the name did not stick. The "Kirche-
hoek" answered the purpose of the "high
Dutchers" for many years. The first church
was built in 1716 on the corner which bore
that name. The Palatines, the name and the
church made a happy combination. After
the removal of the church, about 1800, and two
or three changes in name, it became and is still
known as " Pink's Corner." A family named
Pink, father and son, kept a store there for
seventy or more years.

A claim has been made that the name Rhine-
beck is a combination of "Rhine," in honor of
the river of that name, and "Beek," tor the
owner of the land. To accept this conclusion
facts must give way to fancy. The Palatines
are the reputed sponsors for this absurd joint-
ure. They are innocent.

Josh Billings, a Dutchess county celebrity,
was asked if a certain writer of some note
was a reliable authority. He replied : " He
ought to be ; he knows so much that ain't so."

The Name 37

Reading- Peter A. Jay, Martha J. Lamb, and
«ven Holgate and Lossing-, we find that in
writing" about Rhinebeck and the inhabitants,
they know " so much that ain't so," that they
ought to be reliable from Josh's standpoint.
For example, Holgate places the " Manor of
Kipsbergen" with four miles of river front
and several miles in the interior in "ye olde
town." It "ain't so." There were no man-
orial grants in the town. The Kips owned
two-fifths of 2,200 acres between them. Two
g-ood-sized farms of 440 acres each.

Martha J. Lamb says : " William Beek-
man purchased all the region of Rhinebeck
from the Indians and built a small stone house
in 1647, which is still standing-." This was
ten years before Kingston, where William
Beekman lived for several years, was settled.
It was, in fact, the year he arrived in New
Netherlands, now New York, a young- man
twenty-four years of age. Lossing repeats
this 1647 story, perhaps because Mrs. Lamb
said so. He could not have looked the matter
up or he would have found that "ain't so"
spoiled it. So would Jay and Mrs. Lamb.

Peter A. Jay and Mrs. Lamb agree as to
the origin of the name. Rhine for the river
of that name; beek for the judge. Rhine-
beek. One gives Judge Beekman, a man of

38 Historic Old Rhinebeck

great common sense, the credit for the com-
pounding. The other says the Palatines did
it. Oar own respected local historian, Ed-
ward M. Smith, accepted the later theory- as
to the origin of the name. He took issue as
to several other plain errors made by these
writers. He consulted the records, county,
church and family. He transcribed them cor-
rectly. The others could and should have
done the same.

Both Jay and Mrs. Lamb settled the town
with "poor germans" seventy years before
they left their old homes and twenty years
before Judge Beekman, the patentee, was
born. Jay seriously makes Col. Henry Beek-
man, Jr., his own father. Applying our old
friend Josh's " ain't so " reasoning, several
so-called historians ought to be reliable author-
ity of a high order.

The name is here, however. Whence did it
come? It is clear that "Ryn Beck" ante-
dated the arrival of the Palatines. Names
did not trouble these poor, unfortunate im-
migrants. They sought homes, not names.
"Rhine" is certainly the name of a famous
river. The spelling is not always the same.
Rhein is German, Ryn is Dutch, Rhin is
French. We see that the Dutch spelling is
first used. The Palatines would have used

The Name 39

the German. The Hudson and the Rhine have
similar attractions. The first is still called
the American Rhine. The use of that name
in 1714 or earlier by Judge Beekman does
not seem strange. It was appropriate.

Now as to the last sylable: it was never
"beek." So far as the records are authority
it is "beck." This is the Dutch name for
brook, or a plain adjacent to brooks. There
were several brooks and plains on Beekman's
land to which "beck" might appropriately
have been applied, and the river with the
brook would make "Ryn-Beck," in Dutch, if
that were the origin of the name intended to
be given the locality.

We find also persons in "ye olde town"
before 1715 by the name of Beck, immigrants
from near the river Rhine ; but Rhinebeck
can trace its name to a more certain source
than either of the ones mentioned.

The name most likely intended and, in fact,
given the locality, is "Rheinbach." This is
the name of a small village in Rhenish-Prussia,
about fifty miles south of the noted city of
Cologne, and some eight miles back of the
river Rhine.* It is in the Palatinate. Sev-
eral of the early settlers came from this

* For further information in regard to this German
village, see Appendix.

40 Historic Old Rhinebeck

locality. Karl Neher, a list master, was-
one of them. He was a leader and had con-
siderable following.

Judge Beekman may have had this in mind
in laying- out the land for the "high Butch-
ers. " Spelling1 it Ryn Beck did not change
the actual name. Beatty, the surveyor, pre-
sumably a man of some education, in 1714,
spelled it "Rainebaik." The pronunciation
of the name, regardless of spelling, has from
the first been Rhinebeck. The Beekmans
fathered the name, if they did not originate
it, and they did not neglect to make it apply
to the North ward of Dutchess county as
opportunity offered.

On December 16, 1737, an act to divide
Dutchess county into seven precincts passed
the colonial legislature, and Rynbeck is named
as one of these precincts, "to contain all the
lands purchased of the Widow Pawling and
her children, by Dr. Samuel Staats, deceased ;
all the lands granted to Adria Roosa and com-
pany. That land patented to Col. Henry
Beekman, deceased, and the lands granted
by patent to Col. Peter Schuyler, commonly
called Magdalens Island purchase.''

Thus Rhinebeck became the lawful name of
all of the present town ; all of Red Hook and
that part of Hyde Park described as the Paw-

The Name 41

ling- purchase, called "Staatsburgh." Col.
Henry Beekman served as a member of this
colonial legislature.

The Beekmans, by a law which was made
at their behest, named the town. That does
not admit of question. Whatever power of
grace or magic there is in the name, they are
entitled to the credit of it. It was a sensi-
ble selection. So was Kipsbergen. There was
a reason, and a good one, perhaps, for each.

" Rhinebeck "* has a charm for, and is oft
repeated when recollections to memory dear
are awakened, by thousands of worthy scions
scattered throughout the land. The call" of
"ye olde town " is heard by many in distant-
places, who, "with rapture smitten frame,"
affectionately acknowledge " the power of
grace, the magic of a name." So be it ever.

* About the year 1760 quite a number of Palatines
left Rhinebeck, and removed to and settled in the town
of Seward, Schoharie county. They named their " dorf "
" New Rhinebeck," and built a church which was called
the Rhinebeck church. Among them were persons
named Haines, Brown, Sommers, Strobeck, Engle,
Stall, Petrie and others. They were of the 1722 arri-
vals. The church was called " St. Peters." Adjoining
the church was the cemetery. To complete the resem-
blance there were also near by a slate hill, a gold mine
and a cave, not far away. After a more or less event-
ful history, covering a hundred years, the name of
Rhinebeck passed from Schoharie county records It
is still remembered there.

CHAPTER IV

THE PALATINES

" Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple Faith than Norman blood."

Tennyson.

INVALUABLE as the Palatines proved to be
to "ye olde town," they were not the first
settlers, and th«°y at no time comprised a ma-
jority of its inhabitants. They came from the
east camp on the Hudson river in 1715, and
among- the heads of families were Karl ISTeher,
Adam Eykart, Bastian Treibor, Barent Zip-
perly, Josef Reichart, Alburtus Screiber and
Johannes Escher,* names now more familiar,
as Near, Ackert, Traver, Sip perly, Rikert,
Schryver and Asher.

For twenty-five years before the advent of
these Palatines the white man had been
engaged in subduing the forest, tilling the
soil and overcoming obstacles incident to
the making of homes in a new country. He
had succeeded. Kipsbergen was here; "the
flatts" had a start; the Beekman mills on
the cove were busy. Sloops sailed back and
forth to the city. The Dutch were in control.

*For other old names, see Appendix.
42

The Palatines 43

They were extending- north and east. Judge
Beekmau had made sales of land on his pat-
ent to Traphagen, Ostrander and Jacob Kip.
Traphagen had sold parcels to Jacob Kip and
Arie Hendricks. Beekman had given his land
its name, Ryn Beck. The Kings highway was
laid out through it. The post boy and ped-
dler used it ; also the traveler.

The Palatines came from a country of vine-
yards, gardens and small farms, called the
Lower Palatinate of the Rhine. They were
mostly farmers, but all trades, professions
and occupations were represented. The cli-
mate there was mild. The ruler was styled
the Palatine. Until the Reformation his sub-
jects were a happy, contented people, living
in comfort, if not abundance. They followed
their ruler when he championed the cause of
Luther. Fierce religious wars soon unsettled
and impoverished them. The edict of Louis
XIV of France made them in 1689 homeless
and exiles. Their kind hearts and simple faith
sustained them as they turned their faces in
confidence towards England in their search
for a possible haven.

In 1708 one Joshua Kockerthal, a Lutheran
minister, devoted to the interests of his peo-
ple, petitioned the London Board of Trade,
" in behalf of himself and the poor Lutherans,

44 Historic Old Rhinebeck

to be transported to some of ye Matys plan-
tations in America." This was the beginning
of a great exodus. The time was ripe for it.
England needed emigrants in her colonies.
The opportunity to secure them presented
itself. She embraced it. To people her pos-
sessions in America with the homeless Pala-
tines she is said to have "sent agents through-
out the Palatinates to induce them to emigrate
here." It is claimed that alluring promises
were made and broken. The story is a sad
one. Dominie Kockerthal was instrumental in
bringing the Palatines to America. He sought
to better their condition. In 1708 he induced
"fifty-one poor Lutherans from the Lower
Palatinate " to emigrate. They came from
Neuberg on the Rhine, and settled at New-
burgh on the Hudson. He returned to Eng-
land in 1709, and with the co-operation of the
government marshalled three thousand more.
These were transported to the Hudson river
by Col. Robert Hunter, who had been ap-
pointed governor of New York in 1710.

The Palatines had signed a contract agree-
ing to settle on such lands as should be allotted
them, and not to leave without permission of
the governor. They were to engage in the
making of naval stores. The proceeds were
to be used to pay advances made.

The Palatines 45

The government agreed to transport them
to New York and subsist them for one year
after their arrival. When they had paid the
cost of this, each was to have forty acres of
land, free of tax or quit rent for seven years,
and necessary seed and implements. The
prospects were inviting. Ten vessels were
required to transport them. After twenty
years' wandering, the end was to be homes.

Three thousand people — men, women, chil-
dren, babes in arms — representing nearly all
crafts, professions and conditions, gathered
on the pier, all placed on a level by one
hard condition — biting poverty. There were
handshaking and mutual farewells, then the
heave-ho of the sailors, the filling of sails, and
the fleet moved slowty out of the harbor.
The voyage was long and disastrous, but
finally ended.

The stated daily stipend had been fixed at
sixpence for adults and fourpence for children
before leaving England. The contract for
supplying them was given to Robert R.
Livingston, the lord of the manor. The
rations furnished, according to the terms of
the contract, which is still in existence, were
a third of a loaf of bread a day, the loaves of
such size and sort as were sold in New York
for fourpence halfpenny, and a quart of beer

46 Historic Old Rhinebeck

from his brew-house. The first act of the
settlers was to build rude log houses for shel-
ter; their next, to clear the ground.

It was not long before the poor Palatines
discovered that they had sold themselves into
a virtual slavery. The clause in their con-
tract which granted them their lands only
when they should have repaid the cost of their
transportation was fatal to their liberty.

It soon became apparent that naval stores
could not be produced on the Hudson so
cheaply and of such quality as the British
ministry had predicted. When sold in open
market they could not compete with the
Swedish article. After the big salaries of
instructors, commissaries, overseers, agents,
and clerks were paid, very little was left to
the credit of the Palatines. The prospect of
discharging their debt by these means in that
century seemed hopeless. The condition of
the immigrants soon became pitiable ; they
were looked upon as paupers depending only
on the bounty of government, and treated
accordingly. The neighboring white settlers
regarded them as interlopers, and had little
intercourse with them, and then only to fan
their discontent.

Good Pastor Kockerthal spent most of his
time with his afflicted brethren, leaving the

The Palatines 47

little flock at Newburg-h to the care of local
elders. He attended the sick, and knelt at
the bedside of the dying- with prayers and
words of consolation. He counseled patience
and moderation, cheered them with the hymns
of the Fatherland, and was until death the
g-uide and comforter of his people.

Pastor Kockerthal, writing1 of them at this
period, says: "All are at work and busy,
but manifestly with repugnance and only tem-
porarily. They think the tract intended for
them a Canaan, but dang-erous to settle now ;
so they have patience. But they will not
listen to tar-making-." In the fall of 1712 the
g-overnor informed them that they must de-
pend upon themselves for subsistence there-
after, as his funds were exhausted. The win-
ter passed in not very successful efforts to
keep the wolf from the door.

Discontent, distrust, disappointment worked
up to disruption by 1713, and in 1714 the
breaking- up of the camps on the river was
well under way. Gov. Hunter had concluded
to make the Palatines shift for themselves.
Juclg-e Beekman and his son were alive to the
situation. They were friends of Living-ston ;
also of the g-overnment. They opened nego-
tiations, with the result, as reported by Gov.
Hunter under date of Aug-ust 7, 1718, to the

48 Historic Old Rhinebeck

British government, as to the disposition he
had made of the Palatines, settled on the
Hudson river in 1710, that he "placed thirty-
five families containing- one hundred and forty
persons, besides widows and children, in Ryn
Beck."

This name from the start was applied to all
of the Beekman patent. The farms laid out
for the Palatines were small. Some, only
twenty-five acres; a few, one hundred acres;
more, fifty acres. Along" the Kings highway,
from the German church north and south, we
find Neher, Bearinger, Teder, Bender, Wolle-
ben, Ziperley, Hainor, Polver, Backus, Drum,
Stickell, Shever and others taking leases. On
the south end of the patent Stephen Froelick
(Fraleigh), under a lease dated in 1719, had a
farm. It was on the Kings highway, and
soon after came a small church and burying
ground, known as Fraleigh's. The names
Bearsmarket and Hardscrabble attach to the
locality. As neighbors he had Ackert, Bergh,
Brown, Burger, Hegeman, Ostrom, Schultz,
Schryver, Uhl and others. Adam Eckhart
(Ackert) built a stone house on his farm in
1719. It is remembered now as Abraham
Brown's house. To the east skirting, and on
the Wurtemburgh hills, leases were held early
on farms by Traver, Progue, Moore, Cook-

The Palatines 49

ingham, Pier, Teal, Marquart, Pultz, Eighmie,
Lown, Markel, Westfall and others.

In 1722 a third immigration Drought more
to "ye olde town" seeking friends and rela-
tives who had left the old country in 1710 for
the new. This, in brief, is the Palatine story
so far as it relates to their coming to Amer-
ica and entry into Rhinebeck. Kirchehoek,
Wurteinburgh, Schooterhook, Ackerthook are
pleasant reminders of a people of simple faith
and kind hearts who have left an impress for
good enduring in character stamped upon the
town and its people.

Judge Beekman intended to scatter the
thirty-five families over his land. It reached
the river north of Kipsbergen. A road was
opened from the Kings highway, at the Ger-
man church, east, over the Wurtemburgh
hills, making a connection with a road leading
to the mills on the river, meeting the Kings
highway at Monroe's corner and the Sepasco
road near Dr. Miller's. Part of it is popu-
larly known as "pilgrims progress."

For agricultural purposes the location was
admirable, and this the settlers recognized
and appreciated. The tenants at once en-
tered upon the land under life leases requiring
them to make all improvements and to "pay
an annual rent of a schepel of wheat to the

50 Historic Old Rhinebeck

acre/' and to lose the fruit of their toil at
the expiration of their leases.

It was a general notion that the Palatines
were a mild, inoffensive, pusillanimous peo-
ple, who would submit to any injustice rather
than break the peace. This was not so. It is
true that they were slow to anger, but once
aroused they were strong in defense. The
women were Amazons and as full of fight for
the right as the men. Strong daughters of
the hoe and plow, bare-armed, scant of skirt,
stout of limb from frequent journeys to Beek-
man's mills, bearing the bag of grain to be
floured, they were capable of holding their
own at all times. Both men and women were
courageous. Their lands were, perhaps, the
richest ever tilled, and with their simple,
economical habits a generation was sufficient
to make them comfortable with every want
supplied.

They were independent farmers, handi-
craftsmen, joiners, masons, carpenters, shoe-
makers, tailors, blacksmiths, and the like,
and at all times proved themselves compe-
tent, industrious and prosperous. They early
ranked as useful and, in many cases, eminent
members of the community, and their numer-
ous descendants, wherever dispersed, perpet-
uate their virtues.

The Palatines 51

The immigrant of the early times was, in
most cases, a home seeker. The Palatines
were of this class. Most of them were agri-
culturists. Since the world became sufficiently
civilized to cultivate the fields, build houses
and clothe itself, the farmer has had prece-
dence. The economic greatness of our coun-
try is, in the main, due to him. Mills and
manufacturing- establishments follow in his
wake. The product of the farm continues to
be the chief sustaining* force of the country.
Yet, in "ye olde town,7' farming* is not what
it once was. The farms remain; the farmer
is wanting.

The Palatines were the ancestors of, and
bore names now spelled, Ackert, Asher, Bur-
g-er, Cookingham, Dederick, Drum, Eighmie,
Elseffer, Fraleigh, Frost, Fellows, Hainor,
Hegeman, Hyslop, Lasher, Lown, Lambert,
Moore, Myers, Markel, Marquart, Near,
Ostrom, Pultz, Pulver, Rikert, Rynders, Ring,
Sagendorf, Stickle, Sipperley, Schultz, Shook,
Schryver, Smith, Schaffer, Traver, Tator,
Teal, Uhl and Westfall.

CHAPTER V

THE STREAMS, MILLS AND DOCKS

"A business with an income at its heels
Furnishes always oil for its own wheels.,r

Coivper.

BUSINESS was brisk in "ye olde town 'r
from its earliest days. Its streams, mills
and docks, in connection with its farms, made
business and produced the income for its
inhabitants to do business with ; the sloops
carried away marketable produce and wares
as fast as necessary to the very best market
within reach, New York. Water power was
the first requisite. Mills near the river the
next. A dock on the shore, easily accessible
from farm, mill and store, the next. Rhine-
beck soon possessed all these. It also had the
sloop to carry the freight, and it was along-
side the dock. Among* the early sloop cap-
tains we find the familiar names of Bogardus,
Roosa, Kip, Pells, Staats, Schermerhorn, De
"Witt, Progue, Knickerbocker, Elmendorf,
Ackert, Jacques, Ackerly, Schultz, Mills,
Briggs and Depew.

Coenties slip was the destination in the
city. This dock was the cornerstone of the
52

The Streams, Mills and Docks 53

commerce of the great city of to-clay. It was
the starting point of its forty miles of piers.
It was built by the Dutch West India Com-
pany, whose quaint, round-bottomed, high-
pooped vessels first used it. The Hudson
river sloop and open boats gathered the
grain, lumber, pelts, herbs and produce along
the river bank and carried them to this mar-
ket place. They brought back hardware,
groceries, household goods, brick, farm imple-
ments, and occasionally "cow calves" and
"ewe milk sheep" for the new farm. They
moved slowly; their methods were primi-
tive, but they laid an enduring foundation for
business success. Then, as now, supply and
demand were controlling factors. Valentine,
in his history of Old New York, mentions
the Rhinebeck boats as sought for by mer-
chants at Coenties slip after 1710.

Landsman kill is not the same busy brook
to-clay that it was when it turned the first
mill wheel in the town, if not in the county,
in 1710. This kill has several falls, and has in
the past turned many wheels. It always
furnished its own oil for these wheels. It
made business with an income at it its heels.
It is the principal stream in the town, but
water power is no longer reliable. Steam and
electricity have taken its place.

54 Historic Old Ehinebeck

Kipskill, or Rhinebeck creek, is ornamental
rather than useful. It represents ease and
tranquility as it unobtrusively glides along* in
indolence to its intersection with the once
busy Landsman. Watering stock is one sat-
isfactory purpose it has served. It sleeps
amid wide fields of growing grain and meadow
grass, incapable of furnishing power at any
point to turn a spindle, grind corn or saw
timber.

There are numerous other brooks in the
town, but all except Landsman too small to
drive a mill. For fishing and farm- watering
purposes they are adequate and valuable.
They run mostly through level meadow land.
Below the junction of Landsman and Kip's
kills is Buttermilk falls, once called High falls.
Here the waters pour over a steep, rocky
cliff, sixty feet in height, and flow through a
romantic and picturesque ravine on a graceful
incline, making a charming picture from the
road side. It is a delightful spot. Its natural
beauties remain unmolested.

Landsman kill is partly sheltered by woods
and hillsides ; its banks are covered with clus-
tering foliage. On the east of the post road,
and south of the old Sepasco road in the vil-
lage, a dam above a natural fall makes
"Crystal Lake" an attractive and useful

X o

The Streams, Mills and Docks 55

sheet of water, covering* about seven acres,
adapted in summer for fishing", bathing- and
sailing-, and in winter for skating. It fur-
nishes annually the crop of ice required for
local use during the year. It was once
vulgarized with the sobriquet "mill pond."
The mill is only a memory now. Two islands
in the lake are ideal spots for an outing on
summer days.

Grist and saw mills are a necessity in a new
country. Artsen, Roosa, Elton and the Kips
understood this, and in their partition deeds
provided that if either of the partners "shall
see cause to build a mill or mills, on ye above
mentioned creek on either of said lots of
ground, that then, and in such case, there shall
be and remain two acres of ground in general
to ye proper use and benefit of such mill or
mills, wherein all ye above said five partners,
their heirs and assigns, are equally to be con-
cerned." The creek referred to was first
known as Mill creek and afterwards Lands-
man. Neither partner built a mill on this
creek.

Many mills form an interesting part in the
history of this kill. Beekman-Tillotson grist
and saw mill on the river ; Beekman-Livings-
ton mills below "the flatts," grist, woolen,
saw and paper; Gov. Lewis' mills in Fox

56 Historic Old Ehinebeck

hollow, grist, saw and woolen; Gen. Mont-
gomery's mills at the junction of the kills
below the sand hill, oil, saw and grist; Trap-
hagen's grist mill west of and in the hollow
below the highway on "the flatts." Isaac
Davis' mills on the turnpike east of "the
flatts," saw and grist ; Schuyler mills farther
east, saw and woolen ; Rutsen mills still fur-
ther east, saw and grist; Sylands-Hogan
paper mill at the falls. In addition there was
a still or two, and at least one cooperage and
one chair factory. This stream was a potent
.factor in the upbuilding of Rhinebeck. Its mill
rights were controlled and developed by en-
terprising, far-seeing men.

The Beekman -Livingston mills below the
junction of the Sepasco road and the Kings
highway on "the flatts" were erected about
1715. They were followed by the Rutsen
mills in 1742 and the Traphagen mill in 1750
and the Gen. Montgomery mills in 1774.
These comprise the mills erected in the present
town prior to the revolution. They all did a
thriving business. The farmers supplied the
grist, the miller took his toll, and the landlord
his rent, with old-fashioned regularity.

Gov. Lewis erected mills about 1800 on
Landsman kill above the Tillotson mills. He
took the name " Wurtemburgh " for his mills

The Streams, Mills and Docks 57

and his landing. The reason was a good one,
but the names changed with later owners.
The mills became the "Fox-hollow/' and the
landing, "Kelly's dock." With his grist mill
he had a woolen factory for weaving woolen
fabrics. A family named Morrison operated
it, and in later years "Daddy " Morrison ran
his loom in his home near the present ceme-
tery entrance. A man named Coyle was at
one time the miller, and his large family —
boys and girls — helped populate the town.

Dr. Thomas Tillotson purchased the Beek-
man mills and a considerable portion of lot
No. 1. He built a residence. He gave the
mills the name of Linwood. They flourished
under his management. The Lewis' mills also
prospered. Between the governor and the
doctor there was considerable friendly rivalry.
The governor's mill dam sometimes took the
water from Tillotson's mill, a short distance
below ; and sometimes Tillotson's dam raised
the water so high at the governor's as to
obstruct the action of his great over-shot
wheel ; then there was " trouble in the camp,"
and the operatives threatened "to cut down
Tillotson's dam."

Dr. Tillotson brought the Marshall family to
the town. Robert J. L., William, James and
George, are remembered as worthy citizens.

58 Historic Old Rhinebeck

William Scliell was the occupant of the
Tillotson mills during- the last war with Eng-
land. There was a saw mill and a whiskey
distillery included in the premises, and all
were in the use and occupation of Mr. Scliell,
as lessee.

A map of the farm purchased by Major
Andrew Kip, when he sold the Ellerslie farm
to Maturin Livingston, in 1814, made in 1795,
shows an "Oil Mill " on the site of the present
Ellerslie grist mill, and gives a quantity of
land on the west side of the creek to Henry
B. Livingston. This was the mill erected by
Gen. Montgomery.

When Col. Henry B. Livingston returned
home from the war he brought with him two
old soldiers of the revolution, Henry Doyle
and Daniel McCarty. Doyle was set at work
on Grasmere, and was the father of a large
family. William B., Andrew J. and "Dr."
William were descendants. McCarty became
the miller at the lower mill on "the flatts."
He was the father of Stephen McCarty, who
was one of the leading citizens of the town,
and the father of Andrew Z., John T. and
James C. McCarty, and of the wives of Capt.
William S. Cramer, Peter Barnes, John
Cramer and Edwin Styles, and of another
daughter, who never married, Emma Jane

The Streams, Mills and Docks 59

McCarty. No family did more in the up-
building* of the town and village. McCarty
was succeeded at the mill by James Hobbs,
and under his name it made fame. He was
there for over thirty years. After him came
Peters G. Quick, who was followed by John
Ansel. In 1832 both mills became the prop-
erty of Peter R. Livingston, who wTas then,
and since 1812, living at Grasmere. The
upper mill did not prosper. It had been
changed from a grist mill to a woolen mill
and then to a paper mill. Peter R., as
he was known, died in 1847. The mills
were for sale.

The Quick family was a valuable one. S.
Francis, Charles W., Peter R. and Edwin A.,
the sons ; Misses Anna, Cornelia and Mrs.
Elmore Rikert-Fraleigh, the daughters of
Peters G.; also those of another branch, all
having* the same grandfather; Smith, Wil-
liam, Garret, and the sons of these sons,
Woodward F., Adolphus F., Augustus M.,
have clone, and those living* are still doing
much for "ye olde town."

In 1850 Richard R. Sylands and James
Hogan settled in Rhinebeck and became the
owners of the paper mill, and about the same
time John Ansel took charge of the village
grist mill. A new era dawned.

60 Historic Old Ehinebeck

Sy lands & Hogan were successful paper
mill men. They brought with them Timothy
Baker, a practical paper maker. The mill
made a fine grade of white paper, and the best
grade of tissue paper in many colors.

They kept the village teamsters, John Hege-
man, David Norris, Philip Barahart, John R.
Rynders, John Traver, Lewis Asher, busy
hauling- material to the mill and taking- the
paper away. The Sylands family was large.
Philip R., Enos B. and John, sons, and Mrs.
James Hog-an, Mrs. Timothy Baker and Mrs.
Frank T. Van Keuren, daughters.

They built a mill at the falls and made paste-
board. James Gandolpho afterwards experi-
mented at the falls mill in an effort to make
paper from bamboo. The cost of material at
the mill made his venture a failure. A com-
pany was formed by Stephen Leroy, George
Lorillard, Ambrose Wager, John N. Cramer
and James Van Keuren. They purchased
the falls mill, and under the firm name of
"Leroy & Co." kept the mill in operation
with varying success until it was destroyed
by fire. The village paper mill was operated
in its last years by James Hogan ; it burned
down in 18G8. The village grist mill, best
remembered as "Ansel's," burned December
1, 1869. It was then operated by Darwin G.

The Streams, Mills and Docks 61

Marquart. These mills were never rebuilt.
The only mill rebuilt after destruction by fire
was the Montgomer}', or Ellerslie, mill below
the sand hill. Louis Lueddeke, its then owner,
erected a modern mill on the site, and it is still
standing-. It is now the property of Van
Steenburgh brothers.

The docks in the present town were all on
the Kipsbergen river front, with the exception
of Schultz or Mills clock, which was on the
Beekman patent, and on that portion of it that
fell to Catherine Beekman-Rutsen-Pawling,
the name of her last husband on its partition
in 1737 between Col. Henry and his two sis-
ters. This dock was built by a man named
Schultz, who sailed a sloop from it. Harry
Mills became its owner and it took his name.
He lived there for many years. Three sons,
John, Walter and Rufus, and two daughters,
Susan and Mary, are remembered. This dock
was for the accommodation of the northern
and eastern part of the town. Wurtemburgh
dock, built by Gov. Morgan Lewis, but better
remembered as Kelt's. Schatzel's dock, now
Rhinecliff, the main public dock in the town.
This dock is the present ferry dock and steam-
boat landing. Kip's landing, now called the
Long dock, but for many years past used for
ice houses. Slate dock, first Sleight's, tlien

62 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Radclitfe's. This was for nearly a century
the principal dock. A large freighting, coal
and lumber business was conducted there. A
tavern and cooperage was on it. The popular
barge moored here. It was the first station of
the Hudson river railroad. The names of
Raclcliffe, Bergh, Schell, Piatt, Cramer, Wil-
son, Tremper, Heermance, Keese, Fellows,
Traver, Affleck, Baldwin, Utter, Hoffman,
Tripp attach to it. A freighting business was
at one time carried on from the Long dock,
which was then the ferry landing. A hotel,
blacksmith shop, cooperage and store were on
this dock. The names of Kip, Elmendorf,
Knickerbocker, Fowkes, Cooper, Ring, Jen-
nings and others are recalled in connection
with it. A barge moored at it. Steamboats
landed there. There was a lumber and feed
business above, on the turn of the road, man-
aged for many years by Peter Fellows. The
Schatzel, Slate and Long docks are each on the
terminus of public highways, and are exten-
sions of the highway out into the river to deep
water. The Schultz-Mills dock was at one
time the busiest dock in the town. It was
reached from a road starting on the Kings
highway north of Walter L. Ten Broeck's
residence, and running west to what is now
the Barry town or inside road. On the corner

The Streams, Mills and Docks 63

of the King's highway was a store kept first
by Kyer Schermerhorn and afterwards by
Henry Shop. Above was a tavern. Its land-
lords are known as Backus, Smith and Moul.
It is now the residence of James E. Wey. It
was the town hall ; that is, the place where
town business was transacted in early times.
Farmers above and below, and from the east,
did their freighting at Mills clock. It had a
storehouse, store and blacksmith shop. It
was then and since a good fishing ground.
When the slate quarry was opened, about
1795, it was the first shipping point of the
slate. The Beekman dock on the cove was
also a busy place. From the south end of the
town it controlled the trade.

On August 5, 1752, a charter for a ferry
was granted to Abraham Kip on the east side
of the river, Rhinebeck, and to Moses Contine
on the west side, Kingston, "to run a ferry
across the Hudson between the landing place
of said Kip on the east shore of said river,
and the landing place of said Contine on the
west shore of said river, exclusive of all others
within the space of twTo miles above and two
miles below the said- landings, and to take
tolls." The grant was perpetual on condition
that two sufficient ferry boats were to be
kept, one on each side of the river.

64

Historic Old Ehinebeck

THE KIP FERRY AND LANDING

Col. and Mrs. Beekman sending letters and messages
to Kingston by Capt. Kip and his ferryman at Kip's
landing ( Long dock), and giving instructions. This was
about 1760.

The Streams, Mills and Docks 65

The Kips owned this ferry until 1790,, when
it passeci into the hands of the Elmendorfs.
This family came into the town prior to the
revolution. Samuel, Cornelius, Jacob and
John signed the revolutionary pledge. Capt.
Elmendorf introduced first the open horse boat
and later the steam ferry boat. Prior to the
horse, the boat was propelled "by the "arm-
strong- motor." Sail was also used when
wind wTas right. The first steam ferry boat
was named the "Knickerbocker," after Capt.
Knickerbocker. It was followed by the Rhine,
Osceola, Lark and Transport. The Elmen-
dorfs sold the ferry in 1851 to the present
company. The Knickerbocker Ice Company
bought the Long dock. The ferry landing
was moved first to the Slate, then to Schat-
zePs dock, where it now is. The names
of Kip, Knickerbocker, Elmendorf, Hester,
Schultz, Ramsclel, Wells, are recalled as boat
captains.

CHAPTER VI

ROADS

" All roads lead to Rome."

Old Proverb.

DURING colonial days almost anything-
passed for a road that could be traveled on.
The Indian trails or paths were often taken
and used as roads. Thus, the Sepasco trail
from the river east became the first road in
"ye olde town." In old times the road led
to the mill or tavern. To get to the one or
the other was the only reason for the road.
Rhinebeck had no roads prior to 1700.

In 1703 the Colonial Assembly passed a
" Publick Highways " act, from which we take
the following: "Publick and Common Gen-
eral Highway to extend from King's Bridge
in the County of Westchester through the
same County of Westchester, Dutchess County
and the County of Albany, of the breadth of
four rods, English measurement, at the least,
to be, continue and remain forever, the Pub-
lick Common General Road and Highway
from King's Bridge aforesaid to the ferry at
Crawlier over against the city of Albany."

Commissioners were then appointed for each
66

Roads 67

county to do what was necessary to lay out
and open this highway. Baltus Van Clifft,
Johannes Tarbus and Robert Livingston were
selected for Dutchess county. In "ye olde
town " Judge Beekman fixed the route, and
the road is entirely on his patent. Naturally
it should have been laid out near the river.
He forced it over "clay hill" and east of the
two kills. This brought it through "'the
fiatts," and is the reason why the present vil-
lage is two miles back from the river.

This highway was an important factor in
the development of the country through
which it passed. It connected the twTo cities
of the colony one hundred and fifty miles
apart. It parallels the Hudson river, which
was then the one artery of travel. Wind and
weather made it uncertain during all seasons,
and for three months or more of the year the
ice closed it. Travel at all seasons, and in
most any weather, was possible on the high-
way. The man on horseback, or on shanks'
mare, could and did travel upon it. The ped-
dler with his pack followed it to the habita-
tions he wanted to reach.

The dust of this highway was first stirred
by the moccasin of the "Indian post," who,
as early as 1705, carried the mail on land be-
tween New York and Albany. In 1730 "foot

6S

Historic Old Rhinebeck

posts" performed this service in winter. It
was a solitary journey. This, from an old
paper, is pertinent :

" Cornelius Van Denberg as Albany post designs to
set out for the first time this winter on Thursday next.
All letters to go by him are desired to be sent to the
post office, or to his house near the Spring Garden."

About 1740 a service by "mounted post'7
was established. The system then became
more regular, and something- similar to the
rural free delivery of to-day, except it was a
pay service and the charges were considera-
ble. The outfit required were horses, "post
mantles" and bags, for "small portable
goods." Traphagen's tavern on " the flatts "
was a post station, and here a change of
horses was made by the carrier.

-^_ .„ ^ _ • v, - - The post-
rider usually
carried "spe-
cial deliv-
ery" mes-
sages to Col.
B ee km an .
He would
leave his out-
fit at Trap-
hagen's and
ride at breakneck speed to Col. Beekman's on

Bonds 09

his mission. The qualifications for the posi-
tion of a post-ricler were good health, vigor,
strength, courage and honesty. He was re-
quired to be polite and obliging. He was to
report occurrences and happenings and watch
keenly for fugitive servants. It was half a
century before the snap of the stage driver's
whip was heard.

The post-rider, with an eye to business, and
he had considerable to do, kept a notice posted
in the mills and taverns when he was riding
his route.

"NEWS"

" The Post Rider wishes to inform the Publick that
he is riding his Route regularly. All commands in his
Line will be received with Thanks, and executed with
Punctuality.

Leave letters and Commands at Traphagens tavern.

He returns his sincere Thanks to his former Cus-
tomers ; and intends by unabated Diligence to merit a
Continuance of their Favours.

December 15, 1769."

This notice indicates that he was "riding
his route " only during the winter months.
The sloop was depended upon for the service
he performed during other seasons.

The first main traveled road in "ye olde
town " was the Sepasco trail. It was a
well-beaten path when the white man first
appeared. It has continued to be a thorough-

70 Historic Old Rhinebeck

fare ever since. From the river east it pene-
trated the interior, passing through what is
now the village at the Kings highway cross-
ing. With this highway it was for several
years all the road required.

Up to 1722 there was only one road desig-
nated as such in the ward, and that was the
Kings highway. Hendricus Buys, Hendrick
Kip and Gerardus Lewis were its overseers.
They appear to have held office for several
years. In 1732 Hendrick Shever, Wendel
Polver and Goosen Van Wagenen were
elected. No further record is found until
1749, when Isaac Kip, Peter Tieple, Joseph
Craford, Michael Siperlie, Godtvret Hendrick,
John Maris, Lawrens Bysdorf, Petrus Velie7
Johannes Van Wagenen and Christian Deder-
ick were elected. More officers indicate more,
if not better, roads. There were ten districts
and one overseer for each district. In 1750
we find eleven districts, as follows :

1. From the mill on "the flatts " to Col.
Beekman's residence; Isaac Kip, overseer.
He lived on the Sepasco road near the flat
rock. His district covered this road.

2. From Cole's bridge to Hog bridge ; Nich-
olas Bonesteel, overseer. This was the Kings
highway, north.

3. From the mill on " the Halts " to Staats-

TS1E TOWN
or
/iJttJVE&ECK

Roads 71

burg- ; Jacobus Van Etten, overseer. This
was the Kings highway , south.

4. To Leija Van Wagenen's; Peters Van
Aaken, overseer.

5. To Mathew Van Etten's ; Jan Van Etten,
overseer. This was the river road, south from
Col. Beekman's residence.

G. From Albany line to Cole's bridge; Wenclel
Jager, overseer. This was the Kings highway.

7. From Upper Red Hook to Milan line ;
Jacob Jager, overseer.

8. To Hoffman's; Peter Pitcher, overseer.

9. To Rutsen's; Peter Schot, overseer.

10. To the Hooke; Johannes Feller, overseer.
This was the road around "pilgrims progress."

11. From Staatsburg to end of precinct;
Peter Schryver, overseer. This was the Kings
highway.

District No. 9 was over the Sepasco road,
from the church corner, east, to Rutsen's mills.
The inside river road, from the flat rock,
north, was laid out in 1764. A road running
south, from the Sepasco road, starting at the
turn leading to Kip's ferry, was laid out prior
to 1750, and was district No. 5. These two
roads, north and south, nearly parallel with
and near the river, ran through Kipsbergen,
from the mills on the cove to the hoek road,
and also to Barry town. Overseers changed

72 Historic Old Rhinebeck

from time to time, but the roads remain.
Two or three others have been added.

Col. Beekman was well nigh inseparable
from his steed ; traveling", hunting1, fishing,
visiting his tenants, inspecting his lands, even
going to church, were clone on horseback.
Others, who could, followed his example.
Wheeled vehicles were almost unknown, ex-
cept the most primitive, in Rhinebeck until
after the revolution. William Traphagen and
Carel Ohel made crude carts and yokes. Foot
travelers traversed brooks by means of tree-
trunks felled across them ; the wider streams
could be crossed only by finding a canoe at
some place upon the bank. At main points
on the river, like Rhinebeck, there were reg-
ular ferries, where the traveler might count
on getting over in a boat provided he could
find the ferryman ; but he could only get his
saddle-horse over by leading him, swimming
alongside.

The badness of the roads made travel irk-
some, if not dangerous. The taverns, whose
signs hung on "a kind of gallows" over the
road, bearing the portrait of some animal,
bird or great man, were almost as formidable
obstacles to travel as the rough roads and
uncertain ferries. Innkeepers, in many cases,
persisted in lodging two strangers in the same

Roads

n

bed, probably without changing1 the linen used
b}^ its previous occupants, and the beds for
guests were generally all included in one large
room.

• The decade preceding the revolution post-
riders, scouts and rangers, the Indian traders,
lawyers, surveyors, doctors, parsons and ped-
dlers were all mounted. Comparatively few,
except peddlers, ever journeyed by land so far
as to reach a neighboring province or colony.

The roads in "ye olde town" were no bet-
ter, and certainly no worse, than elsewhere.
As teaming and traveling increased the roads
improved. The demand for good roads came
soon after the revolution, and for a, century
the town has enjoyed fame for its roads.

The ox-
team and
cart was Hie
first load

method. -~ '

The lands in all directions are undulat-
ing, the hills not over prominent, but of suffi-
cient elevation to produce an artistic effect,
and with the rippling streams, old trees,
attractive farms, well-kept gardens and fruit-
ful orchards, make the scenery picturesque.
The highest elevation in the present town is a

74 Historic Old Rhinebeck

short distance east of Burger hill ; it is (100
feet. The hill itself is 502 feet. Boice hill,
just over the line in Milan, is 749 feet. Wur-
temburgh is 389 feet. Lake Sepasco 322 feet.
Mt. Rutsen and Stone church 200 feet. The
village 208 feet. The town is noted for the
beauty and variety of its drives. The roads
climb the knolls, dip into the valleys, cross
the levels, and, regardless of distance, follow
the lines of least resistance. The objective
points of the early settlers were, first, the river,
next, the mill and then taverns. The river and
tavern remain — objects of interest. The town
attracts many visitors during the vacation
season. Summer boarders flock to the farm-
houses and enjoy brief periods of delightful
recreation, returning year after year, adding
to their number and giving the locality a
deserved reputation for home comforts, rest-
ful surroundings, invigorating pleasures and
health-restoring opportunities. A former pas-
tor of the "old dutch church," Rev. Dr.
Suydam, describing the locality, says : " East-
ward one sees the rocky half-mountains
which mark the line of separation from New
England ; on the west he is charmed by the sil-
ver flow of the Hudson, while beyond, form-
ing an amphitheatre, are the rugged ranges
of the Shawangunk and Catskill mountains.

Bonds

Extending' North and South for scores of
miles on the river's bank are the elegant
'seats' of millionaires."

The one-horse dray was
the predecessor of the chaise
and buggy. It could be
fitted with seats so as to
carry four. It was clumsy,
slow and convenient. Style
was not important.

In 1802 the Ulster and Saulsbury turnpike
was established, and it followed the Sepasco
road from the river to the post road, and then
continued east through what is now East
Market street in the village, which was laid
out as far as Mulberry street in 1791, and
was continued by the turnpike company
through the church lands until it again
reached tin*, Sepasco road on the east em\ of
the village. A toll-gate was placed on this
turnpike west of where the creek crossed it
below Teller's hill.

This was a frame structure. On the north
end was the gate-keeper's living rooms with a
yard on three sides. A narrow-roofed shed
covered the road, and a gate hinged on the
east front at the south end opened and closed
the road when necessary. "Pay toll" was
the open sesame for the gate.

re

Historic Old Rhinebeck

When the toll-gate was removed the house was
turned so the side faced the road; it was made into a
dwelling. A family named Dixon lived there at one
time; also Mrs. C." A. De Lamater, and then David
Norris. Col. Astor finally bought the property and
tore the building down.

Roads

i i

On the side beneath the windows wooden
benches offered the leg-- weary traveler a seat
for rest. The gatekeeper had his stool near
the door. He was an information bureau for
the neighborhood. Many peddlers carrying"
their packs stopped to rest and gossip. Stroll-
ers, young men and maidens, and older ones
too, visited the garrulous but interesting and
sympathetic gatekeeper to while away an idle
hour listening to his fund of gossip and phil-
osophic diatribes.

On the toll-gate house was a board on
which was lettered the rates of toll to be paid.
The list was long, but the selection of a few
items will suffice to show the toll exacted.

" TOLL RATES

Cents

Horse and rider. 3

One horse and cart 5

Ox-team and cart 5

Sheep — flock of cen 3

Hogs — herd of ten 3

One cow 1

One horse 1

One mule 1

Team and wagon 5"

The turnpike was abolished in 1815, and
Henry F. Talmage was made pathmaster in
1816 from the Long dock to the Milan line.
This covered the abandoned turnpike.

78 Historic Old Ehinebeck

Horseback riding was very popular in the
early times. A horse would carry two, some-
times three. A pillion was put upon its back,
and this made it comfortable for two, a man
and woman, and especially a young man and
his girl, to ride. Traveling and visiting was
done in this way for many years.

The roads of "ye olde town " are one of its
principal attractions to-day. Few localities
can boast of better. Recent improvements,
notably those made by Col. Astor and the
State road officials, and the personal atten-
tion given to roads adjacent to their prop-
erty by Gov. Morton, Mr. Ruppert, Mr.
Merritt, Dr. Miller, Mrs. Crosby, Mr. Kip,
Col. 01 in, Mr. Dows, Mr. Finck and others,
tends to maintain them in good condition.
The townspeople believe in good roads and
pay liberally to have them.

CHAPTER VII

COUNTY ; WARD ; PRECINCT ; TOWN

" For forms of government let fools contest,
Whate'er is best administered is best."

Pope.

DUTCHESS county was in the first county
division of the province or colon^y of New
York. This was made in 1683. It was then
practically uninhabited except by Indians, the
natural owners of the soil and its appurten-
ances. It was large in territory, extending*
from Westchester county on the south to
Roelof Jansen kill on the north.

Neither Artsen, Kip or Beekman were free-
holders in it at that time. It was virgin
territory as the white man knew it. So far
as it could be given political status it was
attached to Ulster county. Esopus (Kings-
ton) was made the county seat. No question
arose as to the form of government. It was
simplicity simplified.

This condition as an Ulster annex continued
until 1720, when the county had become in-
habited by white men in sufficient number to
warrant a county government independent of
Ulster. The county was in the following
79

80 Historic Old Mhinebeck

year divided into three wards, North, Middle
and South.

The North ward was Rhinebeck. It ex-
tended from the south line of the Pauling-
purchase to the south line of Albany county.
Livingston manor had been added to Albany
county in 1717. It became Columbia county
in 1786. Each ward had a supervisor, two
assessors, three overseers of the Kings high-
way, two surveyors of fences, a constable and
a collector. They held office for two years.
Taxes were collected biennially.

The first election was held in Kipsbergen in
1722. The following officers were elected :
Supervisor, Hendricus Beekman (this was
Col. Henry, Jr.) ; assessors, Barent Van
Benthuysen, Hendricus Heermance; overseers
Kings highway, Hendricus Buys, Hendrick
Kip, Gerardus Lewis; surveyors of fences,
Dierk De Duyster, Tunis Pier ; collector,
Roelof Kip ; constable, William Schot. All
Dutchmen and freeholders ; the supervisor,
probably a non-resident, though a large land-
owner. No Palatines among them.

The first assessment roll was made in 1723,
following the election of the above officers.*
Several Palatine freeholders were on this
list. It will be seen by reference to this roll

* For this assessment roll, see Appendix.

County ; Ward; Precinct; Town 81

that in 17*22 the North ward, which comprised
the present towns of Red Hook and Rhine-
beck, contained more taxable people than both
the others, paid very nearly twice as much
tax as the South, which contained the town
of Fishkill, and was assessed £276 15s. more
than the Middle ward, which contained the
town of Poug'hkeepsie. The North ward con-
tained the thirty-five families of Gov. Hun-
ter's Palatines, found there in 1718 ; and, as
the list of names shows, quite a number
besides.

The elections in the North ward were held
in Kipsberg-en "at the usual place." This
was probably Jacob Kip's house. On the 7th
of April, 1724, the officers following- were
chosen : Constable, William Schot ; super-
visor, Parent Van Wag-enen ; assessors,
William Traphag-en, Jacob Ploeg-h, Maty as
Sleig-ht ; surveyors of fences, Tunis Pier, Roe-
lof Kip, Jacob Ploegii ; collector, Arie Hen-
dricks; poundman, Tunis Pier. In 1732 the
last ward election was held in Kipsbergen, at
the usual place and time ; the following- were
the officers chosen : Constable, Laurense Tiel ;
supervisor, Barent Van Benthuysen; assess-
ors, William Schot, Jan Vosburg-h ; collector,
Isaac Kip ; surveyors of the King-s hig-hway,
Hendrick Shever, Wendel Polver, Goosen Van

82 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Wagenen; pounder, formerly for cattle and
horses, Johannes Kip ; survetyors of the fences,
Mathys Sleight, Laurens Osterhout, Evert Van
Wagenen. The book in which these records
are contained also gives premiums awarded to
different persons for wolves and bears cap-
tured in the county.' The head of the ticket
then was the constable ; now this office is at
the bottom.

Rhinebeck was organized as a precinct on
the 16th of December, 1737. (See page 40.)
The precinct extended from the Columbia
county line on the north, and included Staats-
burgh on the south, and from the river to the
nine partners' line on the east. When the
name Rhinebeck was thus legally applied to
this territory there was an end of Kipsbergen.
A census of the county was taken in 1740.
It is of the county as a whole, not by pre-
cincts.*

The clerk's records commence in 1748. In
this year eight justices of the peace, of whom
one was Arnout Velie, held a court of general
sessions at Poughkeepsie, and "ordered that^
all and every precinct clerk in this county, toA
be chosen yearly on every first Tuesday in
April, do, within ten days thereafter, make
due return of the election of their respective

* For list of freeholders in Rhinebeck, see Appendix.

County j Ward ; Precinct ; Town 83

precincts of the officers chosen, on the said
first Tuesday in April, unto the clerk of the
peace, under the penalty of* thirty shilling's to
be paid by every such precinct or town clerk
omitting, the same to be recovered by the
clerk of the pea^ce, who is hereby empowered
to sue for and recover the same."

Dutchess County, ss. After a true copy
• signed,
pr. Henry Livingston, clerk,
pr. Johannes A. Ostrander, precinct clerk.

The first election in the precinct of Rhine*
beck, under this act, was thus recorded :

Dutchess County, ss.: Att the election
held in Rynbeck precinct on the first thurs-
day in Aprill, and in the year Anno Dom.
1749, Pursuant by an act of General Assem-
bly Made in the third year of the reign of the
late Majesties, King William and Queen Mary,
to the freeholders of said count}^ and pre-
cinckt, on behalf of themselves and others,
for electing of officers for said precinckt of
Rynbeck, the following officers of this present
year New Elected, viz.:

"Supervisor, Jan Van Dense; Assessors,
Gerret Van Wagenen, Philip Feller ; Consta-
bles, Johannes Seever, Jacob Oostrander,
Frederick Haaver; Masters of the Poor,
Frederick Strydt, Roelof Kip; Pound Master,

j>4 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Johannes Kip ; Fence Viewers, Jacob Sick-
enaer, Joeannes herkenburg, Gerret Van
Wagenen ; Surveyors of the Highways, Isaac
Kip, Peter tiepel, Joseph Craford, Michael
Siperlie, Godtvret Hendrick, John Maris, Law-
rens Rysdorp, Petrus Velie, Johannes Van
Wagenen, Christian Dederick. pr. Johannes
Ostrander, Clerk.7'

Slavery existed in the colony, and in 1755
there were fifty-two slaveholders and one
hundred and sixteen slaves in the precinct of
Rhinebeck.*

The first census of the State was taken in
1790. Samuel Augustus Baker was census
marshal for Dutchess county.

The names of the heads of all the families
in the State were reported, together with
answers to questions as to the number of
free white males under sixteen years of age,
free white females, including all other free
persons and slaves.

The first census was taken with consider-
able difficulty, because many of the ancient
forefathers, looking upon the questions of
the census taker as preliminary to increased
taxation, refused to furnish information. A
smaller section of the population held relig-

* For names of slave owners and number of slaves
owned by each, see Appendix.

County ; Ward; Precinct ; Town 85

ious scruples against the numbering- of the
inhabitants. When, with infinite labor, the
census of the State was all complete, it was
carried to Washington by a messenger who
was eig-ht days on the way.*

The statistics show there were 21,129 slaves
held in the State, but this number does not
include the many persons who were bound
to service for a certain period of time and
had resigned their liberty to their masters
during that time.

In the New York Gazette of October 2,
1752, is the following :

" A Parcel of healthy Palatine servants, Men,
Women and Children, among which are several
Tradesmen ; to be disposed of on board the Snow,
Capt. Pickeman: Any Persons inclining to purchase,
may apply to Richard Tide near the Old Slip Market,
or to said Captain on board."

The apprentice system covered a long period,
and was a "time service" of a similar char-
acter. Runaway apprentices and servants
were sought for the same as runaway slaves.

Only six questions were asked by the census
takers in those days. Desire to ascertain the
number of men who were fit for military serv-
ice was one of the questions in the first census.

* For details of this census as to Rhinebeck, see
Appendix.

Historic Old Rhineba

The officers of the ward, precinct and town
were the leading- citizens of the time, elected
by popular vote, because of their fitness for
the position. Justices of the peace were
appointed prior to 1800. Arnout Velie, Mar-
tinus Hoffman, Gerrifc Van Wagenen, John
Van Deusen, Gerrit Van Benthuysen, Isaac
Kip, Jr., Isaac Stoulenburgh, Jr., Jacob Heer-
mance, William RadcMffe, David Van Ness,
Henry Lyle, appear to have served as just ices
between 1749 and 1800. Earlier than 1749
there is no record, and others may have served
between the dates mentioned. The first pre-
cinct supervisor was Jan Van Deuse, elected
in 1749, and he was succeeded by Gerrit "Van
Benthuysen in 1752, and he by Petrus De
Witt in 1756 ; Van Benthuysen again in 1758,
and De Witt again in 1761. Then came Peter
Van Benthuysen, in 1762 ; Peter Ten Broeck,
in 1763 ; John Van Ness, in 1767 ; James
Smith, in 1772; John Van Ness, in 1775:
Peter De Witt, in 1776 ; Anthony Hoffman,
in 1781. He held office until 1785. De Witt
and Hoffman served during the revolution.
In 1786 Peter Contine was elected, and while
he was in office the town was organized under
the laws of the State of New York, March 7,
1778.

In the edition of the laws of the State of

County ; Ward ; Precinct; Town

New York, published in 1802, the following-
persons from Rhinebeck are named as sub-
scribers : Aaron Camp, Anthony De Lamater,
John Cox, Jr., John Fowkes, Jr., John A. Kipp,
Asa Potter, John Radcliff, Philip J. Schuyler,
Thomas Tillotson, A. Thompson, B. B. Van
Steenbergh ; and the following- from Red
Hook : Henry Lyle, Philip Spencer, Jr., David
Van Ness. This was the second volume. The
first had Aldert and Isaac Roosa, Cornelius
E. Wynkoop, Luke Keirsted, John Du Bois
and Anthony De Lamater as subscribers.

From 1749 to 1794 Johannes A. Qstrander,
Peter Ostrander, Abraham Glimph, William
Beam, Lodowick Elsever, David Elsever, Wil-
liam Radclift, Jr., Henry Lyle and John Cox
served as precinct and town clerks, and from
1794 to 1816 Henry Shop was town clerk.*

It is said that Godfried Geisselbracht was
the first physician in Dutchess county, and
that he was located in Rhinebeck. The fol-
lowing-, from the New York Gazette, revived
in the Weekly Post Boy of March 23, 1752,
refers to the doctor :

"The much famed Genuine Nuremburg Plaster, is
made and prepared in this city by G. Gyselbrecht,
Surgeon and Practitioner in Physick, and to be sold to

* For supervisors arid town clerks sipce 1800, see
Appendix.

88 Historic Old Rhinebeck

at his house near Oswego Market at 2s 3d. the largest
box ; Is. 2d. the second sort, and 7d the smallest ; with
allowance to Shop Keepers, who purchase a Quantity
to sell again."

This must have been the original Dr. G.y
as Dr. Ananias Cooper was in the town a few
years later.

In the stirring* revolutionary times Rhine-
beck precinct was patriotic, and the people, as
a rule, followed Col. Beekman, the Livingstons
and Schuylers, Gen. Montgomery and others
in support of the colonies. Dr. Cooper circu-
lated a revolutionary pledge.*

Henry B. Livingston, the fourth child of
Judge Robert R. Livingston and Margaret
Beekman, was the first Livingston to live in
the now town of Rhinebeck. Among the
warrants issued by the Provincial Congress in
June, 1775, to persons in Dutchess county to
recruit for the revolutionary army, was one
to Henry B. Livingston, captain; Jacob
Thomas, first lieutenant ; Roswell Wilcox,
second lieutenant.

In Holgate's genealogy of Leonard Bleeker,
we read that on the 1st of January, 1777,
the army being newly organized, he was
appointed first lieutenant in the Fourth New

*For a copy of this pledge and the names of the
signers, see Appendix.

County; Ward; Precinct; Tenon S9

York regiment under Col. Henry B. Liv-
ingston. Col. L. did good service.

Mrs. Delafield says : " Congress voted him
a sword in compliment to his bravery. He
was a fine-looking man, and not even his
brother, the chancellor, surpassed him in the
manly courtesy of his address. He married
Miss Ann Horn Shippen, niece to Henry L^e,
president of the first Congress. The pecu-
liarities of this unhappy lady, which led to her
separation from her husband, became in time
insanity." His only child by this wife, Mar-
garet B., inherited the old Beekman home-
stead and farm, and leased them to Andrew
J. Heermance, in 1832, for ten years. Before
the expiration of this lease she sold them to
her cousin, John Armstrong, Jr., who was a
lawyer practising in Rhinebeck, who, in turn,
sold them to Mr. Heermance, the lessee. She
died in Philadelphia in 1864. Colonel Harry
died in 1831, and his remains were deposited
in the vault in the rear of the Reformed Dutch
church in the village.

Colonel Harry was also the owner, from
1796, of the two grist mills on the south of the
village, and also of an oil mill on the site of
the grist mill below the " Sand hill."

When Margaret Beekman gave to her son,
Henry B., the land, including the mills below

90 Historic old Rhinebeck

the village, she made a deed to cover sixteen
hundred and thirteen acres in lot No. 16 in the
Beekman grant in the south of the county ;
also four acres of meadow land at the Buco
bush, reserved in a former conveyance for the
use of the Miller and Kelcler farm ; also a piece
of laud on the west side of the road, near
the house formerly occupied by Wm. Van
Vredenburgh, containing about four acres.
On the Rhinebeck premises she reserved the
rents to herself during her life. He also
received from his brother, the chancellor,
a deed for 3,000 acres in the Harden burgh
patent (on record in Poughkeepsie). Yet lie
died poor and in debt.

Another tavern was built in the precinct,
in • 1754, by William Gillant, on the Kings
highway, nearly opposite what is now Liv-
ingston street in the village. About 1800 it
was given the name of "Tammany Hall,"
because it was then the headquarters of the
anti-federalists, or democrats of to-day. A
Masonic lodge named "Montgomery," after
the general, held its meetings at this tavern.
The building, or a part of it, is now the resi-
dence of John J. Williams. Its history is as
follows: In 1740 Col. Henry Beekman gave
a life lease to Jacob Van Ostrancler, linen
weaver, for two acres of land bounded and

County; Ward; Precinct; Town 91

described as follows: "Lying- on the west-
erly side of a plain, easterly to the Kind's
road that leads from the said Beekman's grist-
mill to Rynbeck ; northerly to the lot of
ground belonging- to Peter Van Ette ; west-
ward to the land of Arent Traphage, deceased,
by a line N. 21° 45' W.; and so southerly so
far as to make this lot of ground to contain
two acres, or thereabouts." The rent re-
served was "one couple of fat hens" per
year, for five years ; after that, twenty shil-
lings per year. It was, therefore, probably
a lease for land in a primitive state. By this
description it appears that the Kings highway
was originally as far west of its present loca-
tion as Garden street. It was also west of
or near the present "old hotel " site.

Jacob Ostrander sold the lease to Johan
Christover Armburster, tanner, in 1753, for
£21. Armburster sold it, as a tavern keeper,
to William Gillant, tavern keeper, in 1762, for
£135. It is apparent, from the increase in
price, that the old stone house was built by
Armburster between 1753 and 1762. William
Gillant sold the property, as a tavern keeper,
to J. Jury Cremer, tailor, in 1763, for £145.
J. Jury Cremer sold it, as a tavern keeper, to
Henry Schopp, saddle maker, in 1767, for
£200. Henry Shopp sold it, as a saddler, to

92 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Johannes Van Steenbergh, gunsmith, in 1769,
for £200. Johannes Van Steenbergh, who
was the grandfather of John A. Van Steen-
bergh, the well-known harness maker of
Rhinebeck, and the great grandfather of
the prominent lawyer, William Herman Van
Steenbergh, now located in New York city,
sold it, as a gunsmith, to David Van Ness,
merchant, in 1783, for £300. David Van Ness
sold it to John Wilson, in 1784, for £325.

John Wilson thus lived in Rhinebeck in
1784, the year in which his daughter, Hannah,
the wife of John Drury, was born. John Drury
was the ancestor of the Drurys of Rhinebeck.
Judge John Wilson, Stephen, Alfred, Samuel
and Rev. John B., are descendants. In 1798
this property was in possession of John A.
Kip, Mrs. John Wilson's second husband.
In 1809 Janet Montgomery gave him a lease
of it, to continue during the life of John G.,
the son of his brother, Abraham A. Kip, a
lad eight years of age.

In 1804 the great political battle between
Gen. Morgan Lewis of Rhinebeck and Col.
Aaron Burr of New York for the office of
governor occurred. The election was held in
April. Burr was accused of faithlessness to
his party, having been elected vice president
wiien Jefferson was elected president, and

County ; Ward; Precinct; Town 93

betrayed him. Still he managed to control
Tammany Hall in the city, and his head-
quarters in Rhinebeck was at the Kip tavern,
bearing- that name. Gen. Lewis had his head-
quarters at Potter's tavern, now the "old
hotel." The campaig-n was long- and excit-
ing-. Gen. Lewis was elected by a small
majority. For months before and after the
election Rhinebeck was the mecca of politi-
cians of the Lewis faction. Very bitter feel-
ing- prevailed among- the partisans of Burr
and the g-overnor. It culminated in the duel
between Burr and Alexander Hamilton, the
brother-tn-law of Col. Philip J. Schuyler, who
lived at "The Grove" east of the flatts.
This duel was foug-ht on July 11, 1804, and
resulted in Hamilton's death. In 1806 Gov.
Lewis was a candidate for re-election, but was
defeated by Daniel D. Tompkins. Among-
Gov. Tompkins' supporters was Tunis Wort-
man, city clerk of New York, and father of
Tunis Wortman, supervisor, town clerk and
justice of the peace of Rhinebeck, a very tal-
ented and worthy man.

The historical reminiscences of "ye olde
town " would be incomplete if the town pump
was not included in the list of old-time relics.
It came early, about 1765, and remained until
1895. It was a cup-bearer to the thirsty, man

V)4 Historic Old Rhinebeck

and beast, conveniently located on the corner
of the two main highways, a short distance
from the Traphagen tavern, where stronger
beverages could be procured, but none so
sparkling and bright, clear and healthful.
The town pump was for nearly one hundred
and twenty-five years the watering place
and wash-tub of the neighborhood. It was
the waterworks of the vicinity. The sexton
of the Old Dutch church obtained the supply
for drinking, baptismal and other purposes,
required at the church, from its spout. Its
waters have sprinkled innumerable young-
sters; its drops resembling liquid diamonds,
as they fell upon the upturned faces of the
infants, whose christening and baptism was
under way, and to whom in old age it is a
treasured memory. From one generation to
another it had its "ups and downs," serving
all alike. When the first pump, the handi-
work of Wm. Traphagen, Jr., decayed, it was
replaced by another, which, in good time, was
followed 03^ another, and so on until modern
improvements, through an enterprising cor-
poration, furnished another supply of water.
There still remains a charm in the recollec-
tions surrounding the old pump. It was a
trysting place for young and old for many
years. "Meet me at the pump" was a fre-

County ; Ward ; Precinct ; Town 95

quent request. It was always there, day and
night, and it stuck to its business of quench-
ing- thirst ; while in its trough hands and faces,
and ofttimes feet, were washed and cleansed.
It has earned and well deserves a place in
historic annals. It would not be amiss if, on
the venerated spot where it stood for so many
years, faithful to its purpose, a suitable foun-
tain, ornamented and decorated with proper
devices, should be erected to occupy its place
and perpetuate its memory.

Rhinebeck has been shorn of much of its
territory since it formed the North ward of
Dutchess county in 1720. It is now bounded
on the north by Red Hook, which until June
2, 1812, was part of "ye olde town." On the
east by Milan, named by Gov. George Clarke,
one of the nine partners, who became the
owner of most of its land, after an Italian
cjty, and Clinton, named after Gov. George
Clinton, also one of the nine partners. On
the south by Hyde Park, named after Gov.
Edward Hyde, or Lord Cornbury . The Staats-
burgh section of Hyde Park was also part of
"ye olde town." Rhinebeck now contains
21,353 acres of land. It is still a good-sized
town ; about four thousand population. It has
two railroads. The New York Central and
Hudson river, with eight and fourteen-one-

96 Historic Old Rhinebeck

hundredths miles of road-bed, and a fine depot
building- at RhineclilT, and the Central New
England, formerly Rhinebeck and Connecti-
cut, with five and five-sixteenths miles of
road-bed and a depot at Hog- bridge.

Rhinebeck, as ward, precinct and town, can
boast of many noted men identified with it.
From them we select a few : Morgan Lewis
was the son of Francis Lewis, who was a
member of the Continental Congress in 1776,
and one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence. He was aide to Gen. Gates
and quartermaster general in the revolution.
He was a lawyer, a member of Assembly in
1789-90-92; attorney general, 1791; chief
justice, 1801-4; governor, 1804-6; senator,
1811-12-13-14 ; a major-general U. S. A.,
1813. He died April 7, 1844, in his ninetieth
year, and was buried in Hyde Park. He was
also Grand Master of Masons of the State qf
New York.

Richard Montgomery, a revolutionary hero.
A major-general ; he lost his life in leading"
the assault on Quebec, Dec. 31, 1775. He
became a resident of Rhinebeck in July,
1773. One of the streets in the village bears
his name. He built the "Grasmere" man-
sion and the mill below the sand hill. An
honored name.

JUDGE HENRY BEEKMAN

GEN. RICHARD MONTGOMERY
EDW. LIVINGSTON

COL. HENRY BEEKMAN. JR.

CHANCELLOR LIVINGSTON
GEN. MORGAN LEWIS

County j Ward; Precinct; Town 97

William Alexander Duer, born at Gras-
mere in Rhinebeck in 1780 ; for many years
president of Columbia college ; son of Lady
Kitty Duer, daughter of Lord Sterling-. He
read and practised law in Rhinebeck, and was
a member of Assembly for Dutchess from
1814 to 1817. A great scholar and educator.

Thomas Tillotson, a surgeon by profession,
served on Washington's staff during the rev-
olution. He came to live in Rhinebeck in
1779. He was a state senator from 1791 to
1800 ; then secretary of state to 1805. Was
elected again in 1807. He died in May, 1832.
One of his daughters married Judge James
Lynch of New York city. A grandson,
Gouvenuer Tillotson, was a prominent law-
yer, and practised in Rhinebeck for several
years. He had the confidence and respect of
its people.

Rev. Freeborn Garrettson came to Rhine-
beck to live in 1793. He was a Methodist
minister of note. He had preached several
times in 1791-2 in the old stone house on the
post road south of Landsman kill and oppo-
site the road leading to Grasmere, Ellerslie
and Linwoocl. He founded the Methodist
church on the flatts. He had a nephew of the
same name ; also a prominent citizen of the
town. Francis T. Garrettson, a distinguished

98 Historic Old Rhinebeck

New York lawyer, was his son. So were
Rutsen, Richard J., Robert L. and Lytleton
G. The father and son, Richard J., were
members of Assembly from Dutchess. Robert
L. was supervisor. Garrettson and Rhine-
beck have much in common.

Gen. John Armstrong, graduate of Prince-
ton, aide-de-camp, secretary of state; adju-
tant-general and member of Congress of his
native state, Pennsylvania, prior to 1787. A
resident of Rhinebeck in 1799 ; United States
senator from New York, 1801 ; Minister to
France, 1804-11 ; brigadier-general U. S. A.,
1812 ; secretary of war, 1813. His daughter
married William B. Astor. In 1801 he built
" Rokeby " and sold it to his son-in-law. It
is still in the family. He died April 1, 1843,
in the eighty-fifth year of his age. A great
man in every sense. John Armstrong, Jr.,
a well-known Rhinebeck lawyer, was his son.
Armstrong Post, 104 G. A. R., was named in
honor of the general.

Edward Livingston, born in Rhinebeck in
1764, became a lawyer, was member of Con-
gress from 1794 to 1800. United States attor-
ney and mayor of New York city. Moved to
New Orleans. Elected three times a member
of Congress from Louisiana. United States
senator, 1829 ; secretary of state (U. S.), 1831 ;

County; Ward ; Precinct ; Town 98

minister to France, 1833. Died May 23, 1836.

Robert R. Livingston, the chancellor. In
addition to the foot-note on page 27, it is
proper to add : His is one of the two statues
erected by the State of New York in the cap-
itol at Washing-ton of its most eminent citi-
zens. He is represented as standing erect,
his form mantled by his robe of office, which
falls in graceful folds from his shoulders ; in
his right hand he bears a scroll inscribed,
*' Louisiana."

Egbert Benson, a member of the first and
second Congress from 1789 to 1793. He
served his country well.

Col. Martinus Hoffman, with a revolution-
ary record, was a town officer for many years.

Isaac Bloom, who served as a member of
the eighth Congress.

Col. Philip J. Schuyler, member of the fif-
teenth Congress, 1817-18, came to reside in
Rhinebeck in 1796. Was a colonel U. S. A.
in 1812. A worthy son of a distinguished
sire. The name is part of Rhinebeck history.

William Radcliffe, a general in the War of
1812; a member of Assembly; for many
years a leading citizen of Rhinebeck. He
died in 1831.

Jacob Radcliffe, son of the general, born in
Rhinebeck, a lawyer of repute ; judge of the

100 Historic Old Rhinebeck

supreme court ; mayor of New York city, 1810
to 1817 ; a leader among- men ; prominent in
Tammany Hall. Khinebeck can well be proud
of the Radcliffes.

The Du Bois family came early. In 1710
there was a Solomon Du Bois in the ward.
He was related to Jan Elton. His wife
was Tryntje Sleight, Jan's step-daughter.
Descendants of this couple bore the names
of Abraham, Koert, Stephen, Henry, Isaac,
John, Jacob, etc. They held man}' town
offices, and Koert was member of Assembly
in 1810-11 and 1820-21. They were merchants
and professional men. Before the days of the
bank Koert and his brothers did the banking1
business of the town.

A writer on Huguenot settlements in Ulster
county, named Frank W. Ballard, gives this
interesting incident in the history of this old
Rhinebeck family of Du Bois :

" A Mr. and Mrs. Dubois with others were returning
from Kingston, in a sleigh, and, while crossing the
Hudson, the ice gave way, plunging the whole party
into the river. Mrs. Dubois, with great presence of
mind, threw her infant, an only son, upon a floating
cake of ice, which bore him down the stream to a place
of rescue, while all the other occupants of the sleigh
were drowned. This child was the only male member
of the Dubois family, and but for his escape the name
would have been extinct."

County ; Ward; Precinct; Town 101

One of the fine burial plots in the beautiful
Rhinebeck cemetery is the "Du Bois plot,"
and it contains many artistic monuments to
the deceased of that renowned family.

The Suckleys— George, the father, Rutsen
and Thomas, sons, successful merchants, men
of integrity and worth, identified with "ye
olde town " for a century or more. Robert
B. is the present head of the family residing
in the town. "None name them but to
praise."

The Berghs, a noted family, commencing
with Christian, in Rhinebeck in 1723, and fol-
lowing with a long and worthy line to the well-
known Henry Bergh, founder of the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The Schells— the head of the family settled
in Rhinebeck soon after the revolution. Chris-
tian Schell; he married the Widow Pope.
They had eight children. Emily, Richard,
Julius, Robert, Augustus, Edward, Francis
and Julia. In 1805 he kept a store on the
post road, a place known as " Bear Market."
In 1812 he bought the mill property at the
junction of Landsman and Rhinebeck creeks,
of Col. Henry B. Livingston. In 1816 he was
on the flatts, and built the stone store and
dwelling called the "white corner," and con-
tinued his prosperous mercantile business

102 Historic Old Rhinebeck

therein to the close of his life. He died or.
the 18th of March, 1825, aged forty-six years .
his wife died July 16, 1866. His son, Augus-
tus, was graduated at Union college, and
bred to the law, commencing his studies with
John Armstrong, Jr., in Rhinebeck. He was
collector of the port of New York, and widely
known as a lawyer, financier and politician.
Robert was president of the Bank of the
Metropolis, and Edward of the Manhattan
Savings Bank. Richard, born May 29, 1810,
died November 10, 1879. He was elected State
senator in 1856, and representative in Con-
gress from New York in 1875. He served
several terms.

Gen. John A. Quitman was born in the par-
sonage of the "Stone Church "in Rhinebeck,
September 1, 1798. His father was the pastor
of this church and an eminent clergyman.
The son was well educated under the direction
of his father. At the age of twenty he was
a school teacher in "ye olde town." He
became a lawyer, commencing his studies
with Francis A. Livingston on the flatts. He
removed to Mississippi, became chancellor of
State, president of the Senate, major-general,
governor, and was prominent as a candidate
for president in 1852. He gained distinction
in the Mexican war. He visited Rhinebeck in

County ; Ward ; Precinct; Town 103

1850, and the stone church postoffice was
named " Monterey " in his honor. The lower
part of the village was given the name of
"Texas," the general and his family occupy-
ing a house there for a short period. Henry
S. Quitman, his brother, was supervisor in
1835.

It was from such material, interlaced with
the strong fiber of the families of Heermance,
Bogardus, Kiersted, Ten Broeck, Elmendorf,
Hyslop, Teller, De Lamater, Piatt, Cowles,
Van Keuren and others of equal worth, that
the web and woof in the making of "Historic
Old Rhinebeck" was spun. This writer has
not attempted to cover genealogical matters
to any extent. It was unnecessary and inex-
pedient. There are now very complete family
records in book form of most of the important
colonial and revolutionary families, which,
with the "New York Genealogical and Bio-
graphical Record," a copious work in many
volumes, can be found in any good reference
library. To any family needing a correct,
up-to-date record the author recommends
" The Grafton Press," of No. 70 Fifth avenue,
New York city.

The colored people of Rhinebeck, in the old
times, cut something of a figure. There was
Pete Johnson and his wife Lydia, their sons,

204 Historic Old Rhinebeck

William and George, otherwise known as
"Chalk;" Jim Pierce and his wife Jennie;
Harry Williams, Tune Keifer, and wives and
children, with others too numerous to mention
here. The redoubtable " Pete " Johnson used
to tell of Gen. Washing-ton visiting- Dr. Til-
lotson at Linwood when he or his father was
a boy working- on the place. The time must
have been about 1796. Here is Pete's story :

' ' Well, mebbe 'twasn't me, 'twas my ole
dad who saw Gen. Washing-ton. But he used
to tell de story so plain dat any one hearin'
him thoug-ht he'd been there hisself. The
Gen'l, he rode on a white hoss, with green anr
g-old trimmin's. He wore a big- yaller hat.
He used to take off dat hat to a cullud pusson
same as to a white pusson. Lawsy, 't made
no difference to him. He was a real gen'le-
man, de Gen'l was. My ole dad, he run any
fetched a bucket o' water foh dat same w'ite
hoss. Yessir, he did, foh a fact. My ole dad
was a boy at de time, an' de Gen'l he spoke
toe him, true as Gospel. De Gen'l says toe
him: 'Youse a brigiit boy. Go git him
anudder bucket.' Yep, dat's w'at big- Gen'l
Washington says toe my ole daddy.

"Den de Gen'l got on his hoss an' went toe
de ole Bogardus tavern on de flatts. He'd
see Gen'l Armstrong and Gen'l Lewis and

County ; Ward ; Precinct; Town 105

fab wid 'em. He stayed ober night, an' de
nex' mawnin' he was off agin foh New York.'"
The colored people were mostly house ser-
vants. Some had trades. "Tune" was a
blacksmith. "Chalk" was the town fish
peddler. "Aunt Lyd " and her daughters,
washwomen. Jennie Pierce was the pop-
ular stewardess on the old barge "Milan."
Three or four were coachmen. Others were
stablemen, drivers and choremen. Stagecoach
days were their harvest time. A portion of
the cemetery is set apart for the colored peo-
ple. The Savoys, Fraziers, "Sylvia," Aunt
Dinah, are entitled to mention.

CHAPTER VIII

CHUPX'HES

" Scarce steals the winds, that sweep his woodland tracks,
The larch's perfume from the settler's axe,
Ere, like a vision of the morning air,
His slight framed steeple marks the house of prayer."

Holmes.

PROBABLY the first church in Dutchess
county was the "Old German Church/'
at Kirchehoek, on the Kings highway, in
Rhinebeck. The early settlers were all relig-
ious people. Those along* the river attended
the Kingston church for many years. The
Palatines erected this first church. (See page
35.) It was a union church, because both
Lutherans and Calvinists were among them.
The families of Shever, Treber, R37kart, Eck-
hart, Ziperly, Scrieber and Neher were Luth-
erans, while those of Kelcler, Bearinger,
Drum, Polver, Stickell, Westfall and Wol-
leben were Calvinists. This old German
church was erected early in 1716 on land of
Judge Beekman. A license to build it was
applied for on October 8, 1715, by John Fred-
erick Hager, a minister of the Reformed
Dutch church, and John Cast and Godfrey
de Wolven. It was granted soon after by
106

Churches 107

Gov. Hunter. Permission to erect it on the
corner must have been verbal. As a union
church the record is vague. We know that
Rev. Johannes Spaller was a Lutheran min-
ister there and Hager a Calvinist.

THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH

The "Reformed Protestants" established
the first separate church organization in
Rhinebeck. What had been a union church
since 1716, called the "Old German Church"
at Kirchehoek, became their house of worship.
On the 10th day of December, 1729, the
Lutheran people sold out to the Reformers,
receiving for their interest in the church and
four acres of ground, "twenty-five pounds
current money of New York." The money
Avas paid Hendrick Shever, Joseph Rykart,
Berant Siperly and Karell Neher, for the
Lutherans, by France Kelder, Ceenradt Bear-
inger, Wendell Polver and Jacob Wolleben
for the Reformers. In the transfer bond
given by the Lutherans to the Reformers,
they say :

" In a deed from Henry Beekman, son of Col. Henry
Beekman, deceased; John Rutsen and Catherine, his
wife, daughter of Col. Henry Beekman ; and Gilbert
Livingston and Cornelia, his wife, another daughter of
Col. Henry Beekman, to Barent Siperly, Jr., for a farm

108 Historic Old Ehinebeck

at Rhynbeck,on the fifth day of March, 1721, containing
fifty-six acres of Land, was reserved four acres of land
whereon the Church of Rhynbeck then stood, for the

use of a church and church-yard, and so to remain for-
ever for that use;" and, a 1st), that "Gilbert Livingston
and his wife, with the consent of the said Barent Sip-
erly, Jr., did, on the first day of August, 1724, lease the
said farm unto Hendrick Ream, with the said reserva-
tion of i he said four acres for the church.'"

On llio 4th of December, 1747, "Catherine
Pawling, of Rinebeck Precinct, in Dutchess
County, Province of Now York, widow,"
gave to Nicolas Stickell, Jacob Sickener,
Philip More, Hendrick Berringer, Jacob Ber-
finger and Jacob Drum, "being the present
Elders and Deacons of the High Dutch
Reformed Protestant Church of Rinebeck,"
a deed for this church and lands, in which she
again recites the leases to Siperly and Beam,
and says :

" Whereas, by the above recited leases there is no
provision made or liberty given to the inhabitants of
Rinebeck aforesaid to lett. ride or make use of any

wood on the commons of Rinebeck aforesaid; and
whereas, the farm above mentioned is lying in lott
number two (in Rinebeck patent) belonging unto the
said Catharine Pawling, who has caused the said four
acres for the use of the Church aforesaid to be sur-
\l, and is beginning on the west side of the King's
road, next to and bounding on the land of Zacharias
Smith, by a stone set in the ground; from thence south
twenty-six degrees easi , twelve chains and forty-four

Church 109

Jinks Id a Bfc ij oortfa fifty

degn ad nine links; then north,

■ ty-two degrees west, three chains fifty-nine J i i i k r~ ;
then north, thirty-four de|
eighty-eight links; and then north, sixty -eig]
west, three chains and twenty in*1 place of

beginning, containing four acres, the breadth of the
road being first deducted.''

The four acres thus described were de<
to the elders and dea< d, with the

privi

"to CUtt, ride and carry away ail sorts of wood and
si one for the use of said ground, and for fire-wood for
the minister and the church, on the round or

tnons, or unimproved lands of the said Catharine
ing, her heirs and assigns, for the only proper use
and benefit and behoof of the inhabitants residing in
Binebeck professing and practising the Protestant
religion (according to the rules and method ai
agreed and concluded by the Synod National field at
Dortreght in the year 1618 and 1019;. as it is now used
to ex< beir worship in said church, and to bury

their dead in the cemetery or burying-place forever ;
and also for the use of a minister, when one shall be
called H. foresaid, and that the >und

and premises and privileges shall be converted to no
other use or uses whatever,"

signed by Catharine Pawling", December 24,

1.47, in presence of Alida Butsen and Henry
Livingston. When the church was discon-
tinued on these premises, in 1800, the land
reverted to the heirs of Catharine Pawling,

110 Historic Old Rhinebeck

or to the sole use of the cemetery. A book
of records was kept by the Reformed church.

The title-page to the book, in German, is
in the hand- writing- of George Michael Weiss,
and is as follows, in English : " General
Church Book of the Reformed Congregation
in Reyn Beck, Organized and Established by
G. M. Weiss, Preacher for the time being for
the Two Low Dutch Congregations at Kats
Kill and Kocks Hocky. Ao. Christi, 1734,
May 23d."

From this period on to 1742, there were
one hundred and forty baptisms by George
Michael Weiss and George Wilhelm Mancius,
a large majority by the latter. On the 27th
of June, 1742, the record is again in the
unmistakable hand of Dominie Weiss, and this
is the beginning of a pastorate of four years
in the German church in Rhinebeck and the
Dutch church on the flatts ; the churches being
a joint charge during this period. His record
in the German church terminated on the 22d,
and in the Dutch on the 29th of June, 1746.
He baptized two hundred and thirty -three
children in the former and one hundred and
twenty in the latter.

Casper Ludwig Schnorr, of the Camp
Reformed church, installed the officers of
the Rhinebeck church on the 2d of May, 1747,

Churches 111

and presided at the reception of members
therein on the 26th of April. The baptisms
from 1746 to 1748 are in his hand. He evi-
dently served both churches during' this period,
and thus established a union which endured
for a century.

At the close of Schnorr's labors Mancius
resumed the charge of the church, and did
all its work until February 15, 1755. He
recorded one hundred and seventeen baptisms
in this period and added eighty members to
the church.

Johan Casper Rubel came into the pastor-
ate of the Camp and Rhinebeck churches in
1756. He recorded his first baptism in Rhine-
beck on the 18th of May, 1755, and his last on
I the 30th of September, 1759. He baptized two

i hundred and twenty children, and added eighty

members to the church. His records are those
\ of an easy and rapid writer, and the most

orderly, in a well-kept book. He always wrote
"Rein Beck " for the name of the precinct.

At the close of RubePs pastorate Mancius
again came to the help of the church ; and,
with the exception of three baptisms in the
hand of Johannes Casparus Fryenmoet, of
Livingston's manor, on the 25th of October,
1761, he did all the work of the church to
May 31, 1762.

112 Historic Old Bhinebeck

On the 27th of September, 1764, there was
a single baptism recorded by Rubel ; and on
the 25th and 26th of October there are six
baptisms and four additions to the church
recorded in the hand of Dominie Fryenmoet.
On the 25th of June, 1763, Rubel recorded
thirteen baptisms and four additions to the
church. And this is the last entry in his
hand in the records of the church. Cor win
says he was on Long- Island from 1759 to
1783, a violent Tory, calling- the American
soldiers " Satan's soldiers ; " he was deposed in
1784 and died in 1797.

Gerhard Daniel Cock came to America on
invitation of the Camp church in November,
1763, and at once took charge of both
churches. He recorded his first baptism in
the Rhinebeck church on the 11th of Decem-
ber, 1763, and his last on the 24th of July,
1791. In this pastorate of twenty-eight years
his record is unbroken— kept in a legible hand,
and in a clear and orderly manner. He bap-
tized one thousand eiglit hundred and nine-
teen children, seven hundred of them between
the years 1775 and 1785, the period which em-
braced the seven years of the Revolutionary
war. In his list of baptisms there were ten
pairs of twins, and eight children born out of
wedlock. He died at the Camp, now Ger-

XJhurches 1 L3

mantown, in Columbia county, and was buried
under the pulpit of the church there. The
balance of salary due him was paid to his
widow, who gave the receipt which follows:

" Received German Karap, October 9th, 1790, from
Johannes Schmid, Gered Halsabel, Elders and Drostis
of the Reverend Church of Rineheck, the sum of Thirty
seven pound Eith shillings Tenn Pens in full upon all
Demands for Dominie Gered Daniel Fvoock Sellere.

I say Received By Me,

Hendrick Benner. Christina Cox."

At the close of Cock's pastorate, between
July, 24, 1791, and June 15, 1794, there are
twenty-four baptisms in an unknown hand.

Johan Daniel Schefer came into the pastor-
ate in 1794, and kept an orderly record in
German. He recorded his first baptism on
the 26th of August, 1794, and his last on the
9th of October, 1799. He baptized two hun-
dred and nineteen children, of whom the fol-
lowing- were twins : Johannes and Jacob,
children of Jacob Berringer and Elizabath
Reinhard, his wife ; Elisabeth Martha and
Catharine Ann, children of Ezecheal Valen-
tine and his wife, Catherine.

We find Henry, son of Thomas De Lamater
and Christina Pulver, his wife, among Sche-
fer 's baptisms, on July 2, 1798. This was the
Rhinebeck merchant and bank president of

114 H

later years. Whil<

church, remained ia Rhinebeek it seemed

matter of indi

Van Keurens. Van Vradenburgs,
. Van Hovenburgs, Du 1 - -

S, Tell Bi

heir children were baptized in
the man church. The servic -

in this chui all in German.

Pri< - . . new church

d Red Hook village,, and the "Old
German Church" at Kirchehoek soon
out of existence.

THE IXTtT

:he 4th day of November, 1729, Francis
r and Michael Bonestell, farmers, for the
Lutherans residing in that neigh borho
applied to Gilbert Livingston, the husband of
Cornelia Beekman, for a lot for a church and
cemetery near Kiirchehoek. the location of
the "Old German Church." Mr. Living-
granted the reqi

"Memorandum. day of November,

have Francis Near and Michael Bonesreel asked of me,
in behalf of the Lutheran c _ ■ . :ion in Rhine'
Dutchess Counry. a piece of ground for the purpo-
building a church and the

. which ground, so said. - rent

Bipperly's. For the encour. . - - A a work

I pi d in niy _ and

- _ _ ■ _ - -

r 1 - Lai {

ry Beekman. I:

BOf 1 - - . ■ . • ■ -

-: L

t ranslated from the
pmd Lov I

£. "! ^ L85<

i

-
church lot and _

three roods an <. _ _ - are

ton . »

- niODg
hurch :

"Ire

- !

- rar deal
58- ]

-
-

7 - farm o: i one-half

Frederick

116 Historic Old Khinebecfc

man heirs, on the 20th of October, 1718, was
sold by Frederick to Barenfc Sipperly on the
1st of April, 1726, for lifteen pounds, New
York money. On the 1st day of May, 1768y
Michael Sipperly, the son of Barent, sold this
land to Henry Tator, Loedewick Else iter and
Philip Bonesteel, trustees of the Rhinebeck
Lutheran church, forever, for two hundred
pounds, New York money.

On the 1st day of May, 1768, Robert G.
Livingston of New York gave the same parties
a life lease for two pieces of ground; both
pieces to contain seventeen acres, subject to a
rent of six bushels of wheat a year, and to
continue during- the term of the lives of
George Tator, Jr., David Elshever and Fred-
erick Sipperly, the son of George Sipperly.

On the 1st day of June, 1798, John C'rooke
deeded to Peter Traver, Jost Neher, Frederick
Pister, John Seaman, David Lown, Jr., and
George Elsheffer, trustees, and their succes-
sors, forever, two acres of land for fifty
dollars, subject to an annual rent of three
pecks of wheat.

On the 8th day of December, 1807, Robert
G. Livingston of Clinton, and his wife Martha,
sold to Nicholas Bonesteel, Zacharias Traver,
Johannes Simmon, Zacharias Feller, Andries
Teal and John F. Feller, of the town of Rhine-

Churches 117

beck, trustees of St. Peter's church, for the
sum of fifty dollars, three acres aud three
roods of land, for a parsonage lot.

There is a map of the church lot for five
acres, three roods, eighteen perches; and a
map of seven acres, two roods, five perches,
on the east side of the road, for a parsonage
lot. They were probably made in 1760.

A lease dated May 1, 1797, given by the
trustees of the church to Charles Reinold,
says he is to have all the lands lying* on the
east side of the post road, belonging to the
church, aud the house, until the 1st day of
May next, for which he must pay the rent to
the landlord, keep the fence in good repair,
and transact the business of a clerk of said
church. But he is not to cut or carry away
any timber or wood from said land, except to
make or repair the fence ; and when he shall
have brought a receipt from the landlord for
the rent, he shall have the liberty to cut and
carry away such grains as he sows, "provid-
ing it be no more than one-third part of the
land : " that is, providing not more than one-
third part of the land has been put in grain.
The church now owns no lands on the east
side of the road.

On the 8th January, 1808, the church lands,
independent of the church lot, were the prop-

FT8 Historic Old RMnebecJc

erty of Robert G. Livingston and his wife,
Martha, and they disposed of them in a con-
veyance bearing this date to Samuel Hake.
They are described as being in the posses-
sion of the church and containing thirty-two
acres. The church held these lands by a per-
petual lease, and paid an annual rent of ten
bushels and twenty-eight quarts of wheat.
On the 1st day of May, 1857, this rent was due
to James De Peyster, Frederick De Peyster
and Robert G. L. De Peyster, heirs and devisees
of Samuel Hake; they released this land
from this incumbrance at this date, in a deed
of absolute ownership to Henry Cottingv
Michael Traver, John A. Traver, Stephen
Traver, Jacob Teal, Philip Sipperly, John H.
Rikert, Henry A. Cramer and Lewis D.
Elsetfer, trustees of the church, for two hun-
dred and seventy-five dollars.

The first church edifice was built in 1730.
In the archives of the church are the follow-
ing memorandums or receipts: "Anno. 1730,
cost of glass for the Lutheran church, four
pounds twelve shillings, Received from Carl
Nier two pounds." This is in the handwriting
of Petrus Bogardus. "Kingston, June 14,
1731, Received from Carl Nier three pounds
eight shillings in part payment for plank for
the church in Dutchess county. For Juryan*

( 'Imrche:

lis

"Tappen, G. Hends. Slecht," "September 21,
1731, Received from Carl Nier the sum of
forty golden for hinges for the church. Ben-
jamin Van Steenburgen." This is the Eng-
lish of papers written in Dutch. They show
that the Carl Neher, whose tombstone gives
the date of his death as the 25th of January,
1733, and is the oldest in its burying ground,

was actively employed in the erection of
the church edifice about 1730. -The Stone

r;n Historic Old Rhinebecft

Church," the name by which it has been dis-
tinguished for nearly a century and a half,
was built some time before the revolution-
In 1824 it was remodeled and enlarged, and
embellished with its present tall and hand-
some tower. The expense of this improve-
ment was about three thousand dollars.
Philip Schuyler, Esq., was one of the building*
committee and Stephen McCarty the builder.
In 1843 it was stuccoed and improved at an
expense of some eleven hundred dollars.

The present parsonage house was built in
1798 for Dominie Quitman. It is, therefore,,
one hundred and ten years old. It is a com-
modious dwelling, well preserved for its years.
When Dominie N. W. Goertner added the
Ked Hook church to his charge, or soon after,,
he took up his residence in that village, and
the church let the parsonage until the two
churches became independent charges. It was
at one time let to Koert Du Bois; at another
to Rev. Stephen Schuyler, Cornelius Nelson
and others. The following receipt was found
among church papers :

"Received Red Hook, 12th April, 1793, of the Rev.
(reorge Henry Pfeiffer seventeen and a half bushels
wheat on account of back rent due before the death of
Robert G Livingston (the elder), Esq.

" 17 I -2 Ru. Wheat. Jno Reade."

Churches 121

Among" its pastors, from 1729 to 1784, were
Rev. Johannes Spaller,* Christoval Hag-adorn,
Johan Christoval Hartwig- (or wick), William
Christov Berkenmeyer and Johannes Fred-
erick Reis. Dominie Berkenmeyer has left
this receipt, showing payment of salary.

" Reynbeck, 1744, June 6.

" Received from ye vestry of Rynbeck two pounds
tenn and six shillings, in behalf of ye money for ye
minister and ye assurance ; I say Received by me.

"£i: 16: 0. W. C. Berkenmeyer."

George Henrich PfeiiTer succeeded Reis in
the pastorate. He recorded his first baptism
on the 17th of May, 1784, and the last on
January 29, 1798, serving the church fourteen

*A deed to Johannes Spaller, dated 1723, for land
formerly the farm of Samuel Ten Broeck, calls him
"minister at the Kamps and Rinbach."

On page 594, the Documentary History of New York,
it says that William Christov Berkenmeyer was a
protestant Lutheran minister " in ye city and county
of Albany in 1746."

John Christover Hartwick obtained a grant of 21,500
acres of land from the government in 1754. He died
at the residence of Mrs. Judge Livingston, in Clermont,
on the 17th of July, 1796, aged eighty-two years and six
months, and was buried at the Camp Lutheran Church.
His remains were subsequently removed to Albany
and buried under the pulpit of the Ebenezer Lutheran
Church of that city. Hartwick Seminary is named in
his honor ; was erected and is largely supported with
means left for that purpose in his will.

Rev. J G Traver, D. D., a Rhinebecker,is now prin-
cipal of this seminary. Many sons of " ye olde town "
are graduates.

122 Historic Old Rhinebeck

years. He baptized six hundred and sixty
children and recorded the marriage of three
hundred and thirty-eight couples. He wrote
a legible but peculiar hand and kept a com-
plete record. A tombstone in the Rhinebeck
churchyard closes his history, as follows :

"Sacred to the memory of Geo. H. Pfeif-
fer, a native of Germany, pastor of the
Lutheran congregation in Rhinebeck, who
died Oct. 26, 1827, aged about 80 years."

Frederick Henry Quitman succeeded Pfeif-
fer in the pastorate in 1798. He recorded his
first baptism on the 18th of February, 1798,
and his last on the 23d of August, 1830. The
last in his own hand bears date September 21,
1826. Between this date and the former
there is a record of sixty-nine baptisms, evi-
dently by him, but entered by another. There
are thus one thousand five hundred and twenty
baptisms to his credit. His marriag-es num-
ber seven hundred and eight couples. Among-
these were that of Rev. Augustus Warker-
hagen to Mary Mayer, and that of Rev. Fred-
erick G. Mayer to Margaret Kirk. Among*
the baptisms were those of Robt. Clermont,
and Edward, sons of Edward ; and Fitz Wil-
liam Pitt, son of Philip Livingston ; George
Bethune, son of Benjamin Schultz \ and Wal-
ter, son of William Scott. Under the head of

Vhurehes 123

"Solemn Interments," he records that on the
27th of September, 1809, Philip Coopernail
died from a fractured skull, occasioned by
being- thrown from a horse; and that on the
21st of August, 1809, Jane Van Keuren, wife
of Frederick Berringer, was instantly killed
by a stroke of lightning. He was buried in
the cemete^ of the Rhinebeck church, and
his tomb bears the following- inscription :

"Frederick Henry Quitman, bom in the
Dutchy of Cleves, Westjihalia, Aug. 7, 1760.
Died at Rhinebeck, June 26, 1832.

A tablet in the church tells us that his wife,.
Elizabeth Hueck, died February 24, 1805,
ag*ed thirty- seven years.

After Dominie Quitman were :

William J. Eyer, 1828 to 1836 ; N. W. Goertner, 1837
to 1845; Charles Shaefifer, 1846 to 1850; William D.
Strobel, 1851 to 1859; Frederick M. Bird, 1860 to 1862;
George W. Schumacker, 1862 to 1871 ; Charles Koerner,.
1871 to 1880; Samuel G. Finkel, J. A. Earnest, Ches-
ter H. Traver, C. L, Barringer and D. W. Lawrence.

REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH ON THE FLATTS

During- the summer of 1730; the efforts of
the early Dutch settlers and their descendants,
residing- in Kipsberg-en and on and about the
flatts, represented by Laurence Osterhout,
Jacob Kip and William Traphag-en, who for
themselves and "the rest of the inhabit ants

124 Historic Old Rhinebeck

of the North Ward of Dutchess County,"
petitioned Col. Henry Beekman, who then
resided in the Kip-Beekman house on the
river front, and who had built a grist mill on
the Kings highway on the flails, for land for
church purposes. The flatts at this time had
earmarks of a coming- village. Traphagen
was active, and the Kings highway and
Sepasco road made his tavern, with the Beek-
man mill, a centre that had possibilities. Col.
Beekman was willing-. He gave them a deed
as follows :

"To all Christian people to whom this present writ-
ing shall or may come, Henry Beekman, of the city of
New York, gentleman, sends greeting : Know yee that
the said Henry Beekman for the love, good will and
affection which he hath and bears toward the inhabi-
tants, and those that shall hereafter be the inhabitants,
of the North Ward in Dutchess County and province
of New York, hath given, granted, and by these presents
doth freely, clearly and absolutely give and grant unto
the said inhabitants, being of the profession as is prac-
ticed in the Reformed Church of Holland, all that cer-
tain lot of land in Dutchess County, in the north ward,
situated on the southwesterly side of a large plain
near the now gristmill of the said Henry Beekman,
lying in the corner of the King's road, and that which
parts therefrom easterly to the neighborhood of Sepns-
cot, where now Simon Westfall lives, being the south-
westerly corner of the arable land now in the occupa-
tion of said Henry Beekman, to contain there, in one
square piece, two acres of land ; and also another tract

Churches 125

of land, situate, lying and being in the north ward, in
Dutchess County aforesaid, on the north side of a cer-
tain creek, called Landsman's Kill, near the house of
William Schut, beginning at a stone put in the ground
on the north side of the said creek ; from thence, run-
ning north twenty chains, to a stone put in the ground ;
then east, one degree south, nineteen chains, to a white
oak sap'l in, marked ; then south twenty chains to the
said creek ; then along the same as it winds and turns
to the first station ; being bounded to the south by
the creek, and on other sides by land of the said Henry
Beekman ; containing forty and four acres, two quarters
and thirty and seven perches:— To have and to hold
the said two parcels of land to be hereby granted, and
every part and parcel thereof, unto the inhabitants
aforesaid, which now are, or hereafter forever shall be
the inhabitants of the said ward, for the use and in the
manner following : that is to say, that two elders and
two deacons shall annually be chosen and appointed
by majority votes of the said inhabitants being of the
profession aforesaid, and shall be approved of by the
Dutch Reformed minister, elders and deacons of the
Dutch Reformed Church of Kingston, in the county of
Ulster, every year, to act as trustees until they shall
be in quality to call a minister of their own, who then,
with the other two elders and two deacons so chosen
and appointed as aforesaid, shall and may act accord-
ing to the establishment of the Reformed Church of
Holland ; and that the said congregation may in the
meanwhile, and likewise hereafter, erect and build on
said two acres of land, such church or meeting house,
and other buildings as to them shall seem meet and
convenient; and that the remainder of said two acres
of land they may appropriate for a common burying
place according to the custom and discipline of the said

126 Historic Old Rhinebeck

church and such lands, and not otherwise ; and the
other tract shall be Imployed to the benefit and behoof
of the church forever ; and the said congregation shall
maintain and keep the said two acres of land, or such
part thereof as they shall think convenient, in a good
and sufficient fence, and shall build thereon some or
one building as is hereby intended, within the space
of three years now next ensuing, and in neglect
whereof, or that any time hereafter the said two acres
of land and premises hereby granted or intended to be
granted, shall be neglected and abolished, contrary to
what it is intended to be given for, that in any such
case or cases, the before recited tracts or parcels of
land to Revoline its property to the said Henry Beek-
man, his heirs and assigns, as if such instrument as
these presents had never been made. And the said
inhabitants being of the profession as aforesaid ; or
such minister, elders and deacons as shall hereafter be
called, chosen or appointed, shall have liberty to cut,
break or carry away any stone, or wood, or timber
from any part of the unimproved lands of said Henry
Beekman : that is to say, for the use of said land and
premises, and toward the building of such buildings
as shall be erected and made on the said land, or any
part thereof.

" In witness whereof, the said Henry Beekman put
his hand and seal, this 26th day of August, Anno.
Dom. 1730.

" Provided, nevertheless, and it is the true intent
and meaning of these presents, and of the parties to
the same, that nothing herein contained shall extend,
or be construed to grant to any person or persons
whatsoever, the liberty or lysense to cut or carry away
any timber, wood or stone, or other things whatsoever,
on or off from the wood called Book Boss, or any other

Churches 127

of the lands of said Henry Beekman, but where the
same shall be necessary or convenient and used for
building a church, school house, chapel, meeting house,
or building on the lot of ground aforesaid, and for no
other use or purpose whatever; neither shall any
person sell any wine, rum, brandy, beer, cider, or other
spirits, nor peddle, trade merchandise on the hereby
granted premises, or any part thereof; and in case
anything shall be done contrary to the meaning of
these presents, this deed to be void, and the estate to
revert to the said Henry Beekman, his heirs and
assigns, as if the same had never been made.

Henry Beekman, [l. s.]
" Witnesses,

" Barrent Van Wagenen,
" Albert Pawling."

The first election of church officers under
this deed was held on the 28th of June, 1731.
The elders chosen were Hendricus Heermance
and Jacob Kip, and the deacons, Jacobus Van
Etten and Isaac Kip. The elders and two
deacons were thence elected annually and
approved by the minister and consistory of
the Kingston church, as required by , terms
of this deed, until 1742, when the church on
the flatts found itself " in quality " to support
a minister in connection with the German
Reformed church at Rhinebeck. The records
for this space of eleven years of the election
and installation of church officers are in the
handwriting of Dominie Petrus Vas of Kings-

128 Historic Old Rhinebeck

ton. Besides these there are receipts for
money paid him, over his own signature, for
every year from 1733 to 1742; and there were
persons received into the membership of the
church here in every year in the same period,.
A record made of their names is in every
instance in the hand of Dominie Vas. There
is a record in the same period of one hundred
and twenty-five baptisms; also thirty-eight
marriages. Of the baptisms ninety-two are
in the hand of Dominie Vas, twenty-eight in
that of Dominie George Wilhelm Mancius,
also of Kingston, and five written by Dominie
Cornelius Van Schie from Poughkeepsie. Of
the marriages a large majority are, also, in
the hand of Dominie Vas.

A house was built as early as 1733. The
deed required it to be built by this time. Old
monuments, still standing in its graveyard,
show that the ground was appropriated for
burial purposes in this year.

The first meeting of the consistory on record
was held on the 11th of July, 1741, and its
proceedings, recorded in the Dutch language,
were as follows, in English :

"Proceedings of a meeting of the consis-
tory of the church on the Flatts, by coll.
Henry Beekman's mill, in Dutchess county,
July 11, 1741.

Churches 129

<l After mature deliberation, we now have
thought good for weighty reasons that the
men should purchase their seats for each fam-
ily for one pound ten shillings each place.
The four places on the left hand of coll. Beek-
man's Bench, near the door, shall be let for
two shillings yearly, each place, as long as
the consistory think right. The justices of
the peace shall be next. When it happens
that the gallery shall be made in the church,
then the males in the two first pews in the
right and left hand in the church shall leave
their places for women's benches, and shall
have their places again in the gallery. All
the first comers in the benches must make
room for the next."

The elders at this time were Andries Heer-
mance, Roeloff Kip, Gose Van Wagenen and
Gysbert Westfall; the deacons, Juyre Trem-
per, Jan Van Etten, Hendrick Kip and
Mathews Ernest. They held a second con-
sistory meeting on October 1, 1741, the pro-
ceedings of which were as follows:

" Proceedings in a meeting of the consistory
of the church on the Flatts by coll. Henry
Beekman's mill, in Dutchess county.

''After mature deliberation, we now have
thought good for weighty reasons that the
females shall have their places for life for six

130 Historic Old Rhinebeck

shilling's,, and at their deaths their daughters,
or any of their near relatives, shall have their
places for the same price of six shillings.
Moreover, the first comers in the bench must
make room for the next. We have thought
good that no women let any man sit in their
places, or they shall forfeit their- seats."

George Michael Weiss came into the pas-
torate of this church in 1742 and served it
in connection with the German Reformed
church until 1746. In this period there is a
record of one hundred and twenty-six bap-
tisms and one hundred and fifteen additions
to the church membership.

From the 15th of April, 1746 to 1750, there
is apparently no settled pastor. There were
in the meantime sixty-one baptisms ; fifty-five
of these were by George Wilhelm Mancius,
and six by Dominie Goetschius. There were
in this period thirty marriages recorded in a
strange hand ; but since nearly all the bap-
tisms were by Mancius, the marriages were
probably also by him, and recorded from slips
by the church clerk. There were six additions
to the membership of the church in the same
time. Their names are recorded in the unmis-
takable hand of Mancius, who seems to have
stood this infant church in good stead, as he
had the German church at Kirchehoek.

Churches 131

Eg'g'o Ton kens Van Hovenburg came into
the pastorate of the church, it appears, on
the 23d of December, 1750, and continued
therein to the 20th of February, 1763. There
are eight hundred and sixteen baptisms and
seventy-six marriages recorded in bis hand.

From the close of Van Hovenburg's pas-
torate to March 26, 1769, there was no settled
pastor, the church being- served at intervals
by Gerhard Daniel Cock of the Camp and
German Reformed churches, Johannes Cas-
parus Freyenmoet of Livingston's manor and
Isaac Rysdyk of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill.
There was but one marriage in all this time,
and that recorded in the hand of Freyenmoet,
the parties being- Tunis Turpenning and
Breehje Van Akin ; there were forty-five bap-
tisms and twenty-six additions to the mem-
bership of the church.

On the 26th of March, 1769, Warmaldus
Kuypers came into the pastorate, and remained
therein until September 29, 1771. He mar-
ried twelve couples, baptized one hundred and
seven children, and added fifty members to
the church.

From the termination of Kuyper's pastor-
ate in 1771 to 1776, the church was again
without a settled pastor. At this period the
country was in the struggle of revolution;

132 Historic Old Ehinebeck

and it is interesting to note the condition of
the church. The officers in this church were
regularly elected in 1772 and 177 3, and
installed by Gerhard Daniel Cock, still of the
tnp and Rhinebeck German Reformed
churches. On the 2d of August, 1772, the
elders elected were Jan Van Etten and Tunis
Van Benschoten, and the deacon Petrus Stou-
ten bur i>\

In 17 73 Johannes Van Wagenen and
Johannes Krepser were elected elders, and
Christoval Weaver and Jacobus Kip, deacons.
On the 19th of June, 1773, Isaac De Lamater
was received into the church, and on the 20th,
Jacomintje Turck, wife of Wilhelm Sehep-
mus, both by. Dominie Cock. There were six
baptisms on the 31st of August also by him.
This is all the work done until December
12, 1774, when there were twelve baptisms,
apparently in the handwriting of Stephen
Van Voorhees. He was the first candidate
licensed by the American Synod in 1772. On
the 2d of June, 1776, one month before the
Declaration of Independence, he was the pas-
tor, and continued until December 18, L785,
one year after the close of the war. During
this pastorate of nine years he recorded two-
hundred and ten marriages, three hundred
and sixty-four baptisms, and a Large addition

Churches

to the membership of the church. His records
are in English and very orderly.

Looking- backwards to 1776 we know that
the country was then in the throes of revolu-
tion. Capt. Livingston bad raised bis com-
pany of patriotic sons and departed with
them. Still "ye olde town " continued in the
even tenor of its ways. It was far removed
from the scenes of actual conflict. Wedding's
did not need to wait; children came as usual
and were properly baptized ; converts were
made in due and ancient form: funerals were
bad when death claimed a member, as if that
memorable struggle was not under way. It
was a beautiful Sabbath morning in May, in the
year 1776, the 26th day, when Rev. Stephen
Van Vorhees, the pastor, arriving- at the
church saw young men and women approach-
ing along; the Kings highway and the Sepasco
road, carrying in their bands without prudery
or affectation their Sunday shoes. Some
stopped at the pump, others at the kill to
wash their- dusty feet and put on their shoes.
Then they moved on to the church, joining
the older ones gathered near the entrance.
Dominie Van Vorhees salutes right and left
as lie leads the way into the building. The
>n, with some difficulty, are at last
Led in :i proper manner. The choir is

134

His tor ic O h / / .* // i > i e bee ft

ready, and the service commences
arrives late. There is
some confusion as Jaco-
bus Kip and his good wife
Elizabeth Frazierr carry-
ing- an infant, and accom-
panied by two or three
friends, enter. At the
proper time an invitation
is extended for the pre-
sentation of children for
baptism. The sexton has
provi d e d the requ i red
water from the pump as
usual. Jacobus Kip, bis
wife and friends take
places in front of altar.
So far the proceed ing-s
have been regular. The
dominie takes the child
out of her mother's arms
and proceeds, "Clarissa,
I baptize thee/' when a
murmur of surprise- is
heard. Good Lord de-
fend us, the States-Gen-
eral of Holland defend
us, the Synod of Dor-

trecht and everything that is Dutch clef

en<;

Churches

us. Dominie Van Vorhees baptized Jacobus
Kip's baby Clarissa in English. From thence
English gradually displaced the Dutch in
church service. Dominie Van Vorhees used
to tell of this occurrence with great gusto.
On February 22, 1779, he married Dr. Thomas
Tillotson to Margaret Livingston, using the
English service.

From December 18, 1785, to October 28,
1787, there was no pastor. In 1786 there are
nine baptisms by Gerhard Daniel Cock, still
of the Camp and Rhinebeck German churches.
On the 28th of October, 1787, Dominie Petrus
De Witt commences his record in Dutch, as
follows :

"Children baptized by Do. Petrus DeWitt,
preacher at Rhinebeck Flatts and Red Hook
New church." This Red Hook church was
the Dutch Reformed church in the village
of Upper Red Hook, founded in 1785. He
recorded the baptism of two hundred and
seventy-one children in the Rhinebeck Flatts
church.

On the 7th of March, 1788, the Legislature
of the State of New York passed an act mak-
ing alterations in the act for the incorpora-
tion of religious societies, rendering it more
convenient to the Reformed Protestant Dutch
congregations. On the 6th day of June, 1 789,

136 Historic Old Rhinebeck

this church took the steps required to become
a body corporate under this new act, and took
the name of "The Reformed Protestant Dutch
Church of Rhynbeck Flats."

John Broadbead Romeyn succeeded DeWitt,
coming- into the pastorate in 1799 and going
out in 1803. He served the church three
years and nine months, baptizing one hundred
and two children.

On the 1st day of October. 1801. Mrs. Mont-
gomery presented the church with an acre of
ground, to take the place of that taken by the
extension of East, Market street through the
church lands, which was done in this year.

This acre of ground lies on the north side
of East Market street, opposite the Catholic
Church; and this is why the church land
extends farther west on the north than on the
south side of the said street. This acre is all
the land ever* given to the church by Mrs.
Montgomery. The other lands were a gift
from her grandfather, Henry Beekman, the
son of Henry the patentee, twelve years before
she was born, and seventy years before the
lands of the village fell to her lot on the
death of her mother. (See deed, pages 124-7.)

It was during the pastorate of Dominie
Romeyn that the church lands were released
from the restriction forbidding their occu-

( 'hurches

pancyby liquor sellers, shopmen and peddlers,

in an indenture bearing- date September 2,
1801. A tavern was building- on the land.
This document is sealed for fourteen signa-
tures, and fourteen persons are named therein
as the parties of the first part. The signa-
tures of Chancellor Livingston and his sister.
Mrs. Montgomery, alone were obtained. The
document was not at once put on record.
Mrs. Montgomery having- fallen heir to the
lands on the flatts within the limits of which
the church lands are included, her signature
alone was necessary to give the release desired.
The" church lands'' was the dominie's farm
or "bowerie." This land is still known as the
Bowery.

Excepting the Catholic church property, on
the corner of East Market and Mulberry
streets, and the'ad joining- premises south, all
of the village of Rhinebeck lying east of Mul-
berry street and south of Chestnut street, is
built on church land. It is traversed by
South, East Market, Livingston, Parsonage
and Beach streets. On the opening- of these
streets this land was laid out in village lots.
These lots have ail been sold under durable
leases, subject to a yearly rent. On some the
rents are low. and on others higher, accord-
ing to the prices paid for the leases, and the

138 Historic Old Rhinebeck

time of purchase. There are more than one
hundred houses on this land. On the church
and cemetery lot of two acres three houses on
Mill street pay rent to the church.

The fine residences of Ad olph us F. Quick,
president of the village, Augustus M. Quick,
chief engineer of the Fire Department, and
George Tremper, postmaster, are on the
church land. There are many other pleasant
homes. It is a residence section.

The cemetery on South street was aban-
doned in 1845, not because it was full, but
because it lies near the centre of the village,
and interments were prohibited by the author-
ities.* There is a tradition among the people
of this church that Col. Henry Beekman, the
donor of the church lands, was buried in its
cemetery near the old church, and that the
new edifice was built over his grave. His de-
scendants have no knowledge to the contrary.
There is no monument to mark his grave.

John Broadhead Romeyn was succeeded in
the pastorate by Rev. Jacob Broadhead, who
served the church from 1804 to 1810. His
first baptism was dated August 20, 1804, and
his last April 3, 1809. He recorded the bap-
tism of forty children and five adults, three
of the latter being slaves.

*For lisi of old graves, see Appendix.

Churches 139

The present substantial church edifice was
built in 1807-8 and, therefore, during the min-
istry of Rev. Jacob Broadhead. The building*
committee were Jacob Schultz, William Rad-
cliffe, Abraham Van Keuren and John Van
Etten. The work was done by contract, the
church furnishing- all the material. John
Coddington of New York did the mason work,
and Cornelius C. Welch the carpenter work ;
John Cox built the window frames; John
Wilson and Robert McCarty built the sash;
John WTilson, Stephen McCarty, Daniel Titte-
more, Henry Teal and Robert McCarty did
the joiner work, according to the plan made
by John Wilson ; James Dunham burnt two
hundred thousand brick on the lot of Abra-
ham De Lamater, at $2.50 per thousand ; and
Aaron Camp superintended all the work at
ten shillings a day and found himself. The
largest subscriptions to the building fund
came from the heirs of Henry Beekman, the
children of his daughter Margaret. Janet
Montgomery gave 8200; Thomas Tillotson,
$200 : Morgan Lewis, $200 ; John R. Living-
ston, $100 ; Peter R. Livingston, $100 : Robert
R. Livingston. $50; Philip J. Schuyler. $100;
William Radclifl'e, Jacob Schultz, Henry Pells,
Aldert Smedes -and Abraham Adriance, $100
each : Peter Brown, $70; and, seemingly, the

140 Historic Old Rhinebeck

whole community 1;ook an interest in the enter-
prise and the subscriptions were generally
liberal. It was at this date the only church
in the village, and six miles distant from the
German Reformed church, rebuilt in what is
now Lower Red Hook.

Among' those who took pews at the comple-
tion of the church, we find the names of Gov7.
Lewis. Chancellor Livingston', Mrs. Mont-
gomery, Peter R. Livingston, Thomas Tillot-
son, John R. Livingston, Philip J. Schuyler,
Henry Beekman Livingston. These people
are long since dead, and their descendants are
no longer found among the members and pew
holders of this church.

Dominie Broadhead had William McMurray
for his successor in 1812. Then came David
Parker in 1820; then the eminent divine,
George W. Bethune, in 1827. The pi-
parsonage was built for Dr. Bethune. He
laid out the grounds, planted the trees and
directed the interior a rrangement of the house.
He kept a span of good horses and a colored
groom to care for them. He took no one's
dust when out driving. He was an eloquent
preacher, won a name as a pulpit orator, and
was weil liked by the people. After him Rev.
James B. Hardenburgb served from 1830 to
L836. Then Dr. James Lillie, from 1831 to

THE "OLD DUTCH CHURCH"

FOUNDED 1731 ERECTED 1808

The names of Beekman. Kip, Livingston, Tillotson, Montgomery,

Schuyler, Armstrong, Drury, Schell. Piatt, etc..

attach to this old church

Churches 141

1841. Mr. Smith describes him as "a Scotch-
man and a graduate of the Edinburg Uni-
versity, a profound scholar, and, warmed by
his theme, an eloquent and magnetic speaker.
He had a good body and a large brain, and
was thus by nature a strong man. He; was
self-conscious, and nob always politic, but
thoroughly honest. He never quailed before
an antagonist, and, of course, when he met a
Greek 'there was the tug of war.' His con-
troversies with the agent of the Dutchess
County Temperance Society, on the Wine
Question in his own church, and with the
champions of the Ladies' Benevolent Society,
when they diverted their funds from the sup-
port of the missionary, Thompson, to the
repair of the church and parsonage, are events
never to be forgotten in the history of Rhine-
beck by those who witnessed them. He held
that the wine commended in the Bible was
fermented, and that the husbands of pious
wives who were not themselves members of
the church, put Mintempered mortar in the
walls of Zion,' when permitted to meddle in
its affairs." Later in life he became a Bap-
tist and a strong advocate of water in large
quantity as a saving ordinance.

In 1841 Rev. Brogan Hot!' entered upon an
eventful term of nearly ten years of verv

L -L;^ Historic Old Hhinebeck

;ve service. Like his predecessors he was
orthodox, but perhaps more forcible in uphold-
ing unpalatable doctrines, or had more "free
thinkers" to deal with. Foreordination, pre-
destination, election, hell fire and the like
were never mildly handled by him. He was
always in earnest and administered his relig-
ious fiats as doctors did nauseous medicine
for the good expected to follow. Daring-
Dominie Holt's term the parsonage was in all
its glory when the annual donation party
came around ; popular with everyone, there
came church officers contributing a well-
filled purse; young men of the village with
packages of groceries; young women with
their handy needlework ; thrifty farmers, from
all parts of the old town, with poultry, hams,
sides of beef, cider galore, butter, lard,
nuts, potatoes ; indeed, all fruits of the soil ;
housewives with pies, cakes, crullers, biscuits,
preserves, pickles, etc., so that the Hoffs
"visibly swelled" before the eyes of their
people for weeks and months thereafter. The
donation party and feast was an unique event
that stood alone ; it met the "long-felt want "
effectively ; it was a looked-for affair, and
dates were set by its happening both before
and after. Prinking and fine dressing was the
rule for the party ; young maidens and young

Churches 143

men, attired in their best ''bib and tucker/'
received here their first taste of love that often
ripened into matrimony and resulted in sub-
stantial tees to the good pastor, whose bless-
ing- was always unctuous and tender. The
"donation party" made happy engagements
and occasioned enjoyable wedding events.
It is now among the "has-beens." It never
should have become a thing of the past. It
had its pi ace in church life and work. Its
absence is to be regretted.

After Dominie Hoif the Rev. Peter Stryker,
a ripe scholar, served four years and three
months, from 1850 to 1855. During Mr.
Stryker s term the time came when the spirit
of improvement swept away the old-fashioned
pews and the pill-box pulpit. Some frugal
farmer near Wurtemburgh hills bought the
pulpit and set it up in his barnyard, raising
good fat porkers in it. There was substi-
tuted for it a very spacious platform with an
ornamental recess and convenient study. The
interior of the church took on a light and
attractive appearance. A new order of things
followed the change. The temperance ques-
tion became prominent. Meetings were held
in the church. The attendance was large. A
course of lectures during the winter brought
many great orators to the village.

144 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Then William A. Miller was pastor from
1856 to 1859; Herman R. Timlow, from 1859
to 3866 ; Goyn Talmage, brother of the great
Brooklyn clergyman, T. D'ewitt Talmage, from
■: to 1871; Alonzo P. Peake, from 1872 to
1879, and in succession, L. Walter Lott, Rev.
J. Romeyn Berry, Dr. J. Howard Snydam and
the present incumbent, Charles G. Mallery.

The "Old Dutch'' Reformed church was,
and is, a most useful church; it comprehends
in a surprising- degree the old Dutch, sturdy,
steady, hold-fast conservatism; it embodied
in old times a spirit of progress that made
things hum when they were set going. Its
history, and that of its people, should be
written. It will make a volume. This old brick
church (one of its names) will be long remem-
bered by the sons and daughters of "ye olde
town." It stands as a monument to-day to
the memory of many generations of Rhine-
bee kers.

With the families of Heermance, Teller,
Kips, Bogardus, Elmendorf, Hyslop, Van
Steenbergh, De Lamater, Van Keuren, Hill,
Fulton, Schell, Tompkins, Westfall, Drury,
Barringer, Darling, Judson, Cramer, Champ-
lin, Sprague, Tremper, Thomson, Baker and
others following the lead of the founders of
L730 in good works and in upbuilding the

Churches 145

"Old Dutch church," it has easily maintained
first place, to which it was entitled as the
first church in the present village.

Of the pastors during* the past quarter of
a century Rev. L. Walter Lott married a
maiden of "ye olde town," an accomplished
young- lady, the eldest daughter of Hon.
Ambrose Wager, the leading lawyer and a
prominent citizen of Rhinebeck. Soon after
Mr. Lott became a member of the Episcopal
church, and later was the rector of important
parishes of that denomination.

Rev. J. Romeyn Berry died while pastor
and was buried in the Rhinebeck cemetery.

Dr. Suydam, beloved by his people and
respected by all others, retired as his health
failed, and was made, and is now, pastor
emeritus.

Mr. Mallery, the present able pastor, is con-
tinuing the good work of his predecessors.

THE WURTEMBURGH (ST. PAUL's) CHURCH

By 1759 that portion of "ye olde town"
then called " Whitaberger Land," and now
Wurtemburgh, had population sufficient to
support a church. It was then, as now, a
farming- section. Wager, Pultz, Traver, Mar-
quart, Moore, Cookingham, Ackert, Burg-er,
Asher, are still familiar names in the town.

146 Historic Old Bhinebeck

On March 20, 1759, Leonard Wager and
Michael Pultz applied, on behalf of the Wur-
temburg-h people, by letter to Col. Henry
Beekman, the owner of the land desired, for
permission to build a church, and for a gift of
the required land. Col. Beekman replied as
follows :

" New York, April 17, 1759.
"Messrs. Wager & Boltz :— Having received your
letter of the 20th ult, concerning leave to build a
church, &c, which reasonable request I willingly
grant, and give you what further assurance that shall
be adjudged for such purpose necessary, wishing you
good prosperity in the meanwhile, am and remain,
" Your well wishing friend,

" Henry Beekman."

To conduct a church in those days required
a government license, and to receive and col-
lect subscriptions for the erection of a church
edifice, a special charter. That these were at
once obtained and the edifice erected is certain.
And it is equally certain this edifice was
erected and a graveyard opened on the land
of said Wager and Boltz. On the 5th of
September, 1774, Henry Beekman conveyed
to Johannes Markwat, Michael Pultz and
Adam Dipple, trustees for the time being of
said church, nineteen acres and three-quarters
of land lying- adjacent to the lands of Leonard
Wager and the " Jacomintie Fly conveyance,"

Churches 147

"for the sole and only proper use, benefit
and behoof of the Protestant Church now
erected on the southeast part of Rhinebeck,
commonly called the ' Whitaberger Land.' "

On the 1st day of June, 1785, George and
Sebastian Pultz, and Paul and Sebastian
Wager, deeded to the church two acres of
ground, one acre each, "together with all
and singular the buildings, church and church-
yard thereon erected and belonging, the said
church being now commonly distinguished
as the Wirtemburg church." The trustees
named in this conveyance were David Traver,
Peter Traver and George Marquart of Char-
lotte precinct, now the town of Clinton. The
church and grounds are near the town line,
and the congregation is made up of people
from both towns.

The deed says the conveyance is for "the
use and benefit of the Protestant congrega-
tion or society of said church, * * * so
as they do not occupy any part of the said
two acres of land for any other purpose than
for a church and burying ground." On the
7th of February, 1796, George and Sebastian
Pultz released the north half of the lot, the
acre given by themselves, from this restric-
tion, giving their own consent, and binding
their heirs to give theirs to the trustees of the

148 Historic Old Rhi u check

church to erect a school house, and conduct a
school thereon. It will be noticed that neither
of these deeds refers to the church as "St.
Paul's'' or "Lutheran." It was known by
these names after the revolution. It was
always a Lutheran church in the form of
worship.

A new church building- was erected in 1802.
In 1807 they sold the nineteen and three-
quarters acres obtained of Henry Beekmam
and employed the proceeds in payment of a
debt incurred in the erection of the new edifice.
Morgan Lewis and Gertrude Livingston, his
wife; a granddaughter of Henry Beekman,
in whom the fee of the Wurtemburgh lands
vested on the death of her mother, gave the
consent in proper form to this disposition of
the church land ; it was then sold under an
order from Chancellor John Lansing, Jr.,
dated at Albany, February 27, 1807, in
response to a petition of the trustees of the
"Lutheran St. Paul's church in the town of
Rhinebeck called Wertembergh." The church
edifice was thoroughly repaired in 1832, and
in 1861 it was enlarged and remodelled and
put in the condition in which it is to-day.

The first baptism in the church was recorded
on the 22d of October, 1760. The first pastor
named in the record was Rev. J. F. Ries. He

( ■hurches

149

served the church from 1760 to 1785. George
Henrich Pefifer served as a pastor from 1785

to 1794, and was succeeded for a short period
by John Frederick Ernst. Dr. Fredrick H.

150 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Quitman came into the pastorate in 179&
His contract, bearing- date February 8, 1798,
required him to preach to the people of the
church at Rhinebeck eighteen Sundays and
three festival days; to the people of the
church of East Camp, sixteen Sundays and
two festival days ; to the people of the church
at Wertembergh, nine Sundays and one fes-
tival day ; and to the people of the church at
Tarbush, seven Sundays and one festival day.
For these services the Rhinebeck people agreed
to pay him thirty pounds New York current
money, ten bushels of wheat, and grant him
the use of the parsonage, and church lands,
he to be responsible for the ten bushels rent-
wheat thereon; the East Camp * people £35
in money, and eight bushels of wheat, fire-
wood and the free use of the parsonage and
church lands, or £25 in money instead if he
should choose not to use them; the Wertem-
bergh people £30 in money and eight bushels
of wheat; and the Tarbush people £25 in
money and eight bushels of wheat.

On the 4th of February, 1815, Dr. Quit-
man agreed to preach in the Wurtemburgh
church "on every third Sunday during the
year, one Sunday excepted — namely, during
the winter season one sermon — and from May

* East Camp and Tarbush were in Columbia county.

Churches 151

until October, two sermons — namely, one in
the German and one in the English language/'
upon condition that they will pay him " evvvy
year, in semi-annual payments, $200, and
between twenty- Ave and thirty loads of wood,"
the congregation in Rhinebeck to make up
what will pay for the remaining- Sundays.
They do this at his request, that he may be
" freed in his advancing ag-e from the tedious
task of continued travelling*." It thus appears
he relinquished the East Camp and Tarbush
• churches in 1815. He continued to serve the
Rhinebeck and Wurtemburgh churches until
1825. Toward the close of his ministry he

i had to be carried to the pulpit and retained

his seat while preaching.

I William J. Eyer was Dr. Quitman's succes-

sor, entering- on the pastorate of the church
in September, 1825, and continuing- therein

j until September, 1839. Rev. George Neff

says, " shortly after his settlement he
preached altog-ether in the Eng-lish lan-
guage, and ministered exclusively to the
Wurtemburgh church."

A. T. Geissenhainer came into the pastorate
in 1838 and retained it until 1840. He kept
his record in a clerkly hand and in an orderly
manner.

Rev. Charles A. Smith succeeded Dominie

152 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Geissenhainer in the pastorate and retained

it until 1850.

Rev. W. N. Scholl succeeded Dominie Smith
and remained pastor of the church until 1855.

Rev. George Neff succeeded Dominie Scholl
and took charge of the congregation in July,
1855, remaining until July, 1876, a period of
twenty-one years.

Rev. Joseph G. Griffith served from Sep-
tember 1, 1876, to March 1, 1881.

Rev. John Kling served from September I,
1881, to June 1, 1887.

Rev. George W. Fortney served from Jan-
uary 1, 1888, to June 1, 1895.

Rev. Cbauncey W. Deifendorf served from
September 1, 1895, to December 1, 1898.

Rev. Rosco C. Wright served from April 1,
1899, to September 1, 1907.

Rev. John Kling was recalled February 1.
1908, and is now the pastor.

THE METHODIST CHURCH ON THE FLATTS

The Methodists did not appear in "ye olde
town " until after the revolution. More than
sixty years had passed since the founders of
this denomination, John and Charles Wesley,
had made their start at Oxford. The sect
was called "Methodists," first in a taunting
spirit, because they were unusually precise

Churches 153

and methodic in the observance of their relig-
ious duties and in the regularity of their lives.
It was in 1792 that Rev. Freeborn Gar-
rettson, a Methodist clergyman, came from
Maryland on a visit to his friend Dr. Thomas
Tillotson at "Linwood." He tarried for sev-
eral weeks and preached the doctrines of
the Methodists to the people of the town.
He also met Margaret, the second daughter
of Judge Robert R. Livingston, and his wife,
Margaret Beekman, and the sister of Mrs.
Tillotson. He married her in 1793 and became
a resident of Rhinebeck. He exchanged, in
1799, lands with Hans Van Wagenen, tak-
ing part of lot No. 3 on the Artsen-Kip
patent, afterwards known as " Wilderclilfe."
Prior to that the Garrettsons resided in the
eastern part of the town, near the Milan line.
Capt. William Van AVagenen was the son of
the man who made the exchange of land.

A map of the town of Rhinebeck, made in
1797, shows a Methodist church on a hill fac-
ing the road to Milan, a short distance beyond
the house erected by Edwin Knickerbocker.
The residence of the Garrettsons was in the
immediate vicinity of this church, a little to
the southeast, in a stone house built in 1772
by Thomas Canner, for a man by the name of
Hasradorn. At what date this church was

154 Historic Old Ehinebeck

built, and with what funds, there is no person
or document to tell ; that it was there because
the Garrettsons were there nobody doubts.

The first record of the presence of the Meth-
odists in the village of Rhinebeck is contained
in a deed from Mrs. Janet Montgomery to
Rev. Freeborn Garrettson, Robert Sands,
Simon Johnson Myers, Charles Doyl and
Daniel McCarty, trustees of the Methodist
Episcopal church at Rhinebeck flatts, dated
August 1, 1801, for one rood and six perches
of land, bounded as follows:

" Beginning at the northwest corner of a lot leased
by the said Janet Montgomery to the said Daniel
McCarty, and now in the tenure and occupation of
Robert Scott, and runs from thence along the bounds of
said lot north, eighty-nine degrees east, one chain and
eighty-nine links to a stake ; thence north, one degree
west, one chain and fifty links to a stake; thence
south eighty-nine degrees west, one chain and ninety-
six links; thence, with a straight line, to the place of
beginning, containing one rood and six perches of land."

This lot is on the east side of Centre street,
between East Market and South streets. A
venerable lady, when in the eighty-ninth year
of her age, a daughter of Robert Scott, who
grew from childhood to womanhood in the
immediate vicinity of this lot, remarkably
preserved in body, mind and memory for her
years, said that the Methodist church on the

Churches 155

road to Milan, three miles east of the village,
"near Tommy Larwood's," was taken down,
brought to the villag-e and rebuilt on this lot
by Daniel McCarty ; and, to the best of her
memory, in the year when the lot was given.
Among- the preachers, whose goings to and fro
brought them to Rhinebeck, were Lorenzo
Dow, "Billy" Hibbard, Ensign Foster and
others of this church. Daniel McCarty, who
ran the Traphagen grist mill, lived in the old
stone house, and afterwards moved to the
Schell place on the post road, now occupied
and owned by Herbert R. Clark, was a very
ardent, active and influential Methodist, well
known in his day ; the preachers made their
home at his house when the3r reached the
flatts before the parsonage was built. He
always worked for the church. He was a
Revolutionary veteran.

The lot on which the present church edifice
stands was also a gift of Mrs. Janet Mont-
gomery. The deed was for half an acre of
ground "on the north side of the road com-
monly called Ulster and Saulsbury Turnpike,"
and is a conveyance in trust from Janet Mont-
gomery of Red Hook to Mary Garrettson of
Rhinebeck, on the express condition " that
she shall not at an^y time hereafter assign her
right or trust to any but such persons as may be

150 Historic Old Ehinebeck

appointed trustees of the Rhinebeck Methodist
Episcopal church by the members thereof;5'
and that neither she, or her assigns, "shall,
at any time, build on the premises more than
a house of worship, with the necessary appur-
tenances, for the use of the said Methodist
Episcopal church." This deed bears date
March 3, 1822. From this date on the
history of the church is contained in the
records, which are very full and properly,
carefully and intelligently kept by Freeborn
Garrettson, Jr., Rev. Stephen Schuyler, Dr.
William Cross and other competent chirks.
The following", pertaining- to the new church
and premises, is transcribed from the records,
and is the language of Freeborn Garrettson,
Jr.: " At a meeting- of the Methodist society
on Rhinebeck Flatts, convened at the Rev.
Jesse Hunt's, January, 1822, for the purpose
of taking' into consideration the expediency of
erecting a Methodist chapel at said Rhinebeck
Flatts, and for the further purpose of choos-
ing- nine trustees for the same ; Whereupon,
the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson was called
to the chair, and Freeborn Garrettson, Jr.,
appointed secretary. The business of the
meeting being opened, and the deed of the old
chapel ati said Rhinebeck Flatts being read,
proceeded to the choice of trustees. The Rev.

Churches K>;

Jesse Hunt, being- the preacher in charge, it
was accordingly his prerogative, agreeably to
discipline, to nominate the same. He, there-
fore, nominated the following- persons, who
were duly appointed, viz.: Rev. Freeborn
Garrettson, Robert Sands, William Cross,
Sen'r, James Raisbeck, William C. Freeman,
Freeborn Garrettson, Jr., Samuel Bell, Jef-
i'ery H. Champlin, and Nicholas Drury."

"The subject of the new church was then
taken up, and it was unanimously agreed that
it was necessary to go on with its erection,
provided a suitable site could be obtained, and
funds procured. The trustees were, there-
fore, instructed to consider the matter, and
make their report as soon as possible ; and
also to consider of what materials the build-
ing- should be composed."

" It was agreed that two persons be named bo
superintend the building, and for said two per-
sons to be under the direction of the trustees.
Freeborn Garretson, Jr., and William C.
Freeman were accordingly appointed, and
were instructed to present their account for
services to the trustees, to be audited by
them."

"It was agreed that the chairman appoint
persons to go around to solicit subscrip-
tions to the building. The Rev. Jesse Hunt,

ibS Historic Old Rhinebeck

Freeborn Garrettson, Jr., and William C.
Freeman, were also appointed treasurers.
Adjourned to meet again on the 23d of Jan-
uary, 1822."

At this adjourned meeting- the Rev. Free-
born Garrettson was appointed president of
the board of trustees, and Freeborn Garrett-
son, Jr., chosen secretar3T ; when the presi-
dent stated that Mrs. Janet Montg-omery had
presented the society with half an acre of
ground in a conspicuous place in the village
fronting- on the turnpike ; and named other
successes in the way of subscriptions. It was
then unanimously agreed that the church be
built, and built of stone, of the size of forty-
five feet by fifty-five, from outside to outside;
and that the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson, Rev.
Jesse Hunt, Freeborn Garrettson, Jr., Wil-
liam E. Freeman and Je fiery H. Champlin be
a committee to manag-e the building-, and that
Freeborn Garrettson, Jr., be considered as the
centre of that committee, and the g-eneral
superintendent thereof. After agreeing- that
the building- be forwarded with as much expe-
dition as possible, this meeting- adjourned.

The cornerstone of the building- was laid by
the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson on the 1st day
of May, 1822, and the building- was completed
on the 6th day of October following-. Free-

Churches 159

born Garrettson, Jr., the superintendent of
the building', records that the thanks of the
society are due to Thomas Sanford, the mas-
ter mason, and Henry C. Teal, the master
carpenter, for diligence and skill in the exe-
cution of their tasks ; that no accident hap-
pened about the building; that not a drop of
spirituous liquors was drank during its erec-
tion ; that the carpenters, masons and labor-
ers all acquitted themselves well; that all
wrere peaceable, industrious and respectful ;
that never was a building raised with more
harmony and good feeling. He gives special
credit to John King, a colored man, for dili-
gence and industry ; and thanks the neighbors
for the willingness with which they assisted
with their teams in collecting the materials
for the building. And then he mentions what
he calls " a remarkable circumstance," as
follows :

A well was dug for "the accommodation of
the building," for the first step.* " It afforded

* There was a tradition among the old people that the
Rev. Freeborn Garrettson locked his well-curb against
the workmen in the Fox Hollow factory, and the chil-
dren from the neighboring school, who were in the
habit of resorting to the well for water, and was aston-
ished to discover, soon after, that the well refused to
hold water for his own family. Whether he there-
upon removed the lock and recovered the water is not
known.

160 Historic Old Rhinebeck

a full supply of water for all the purposes of
making mortar, and every other use neces-
sary as long* as it was wanted ; and not many
days after we ceased to use it, the well became
dry." Another circumstance in the digging"
of the well is also deemed worth}7 of note.
"After excavating the earth a short distance,
we presently discovered an excellent vein of
loam; and in going a little deeper found
another of sand, and in still going a little
deeper found another of gravel, which an-
swered all the purposes for erecting the stone
building', in making mortar for the wall, for
the plastering, and for the rough casting of
the building, upon the outside. This was for-
tunate for us, which saved us much trouble
and expense."

The cost of the building was $3,559.88. The
subscriptions amounted to $3,234, leaving the
committee in debt $325.88. This was assumed
and finally presented to the church by the
Rev. Freeborn Garrettson.

There were one hundred and twenty-six
subscriptions to the building fund. Mrs. Cath-
erine Garrettson gave $800 ; Mrs. Catherine
Suckley, $500 ; Mrs. Mary Garrettson, $100 ;
Rev. Freeborn Garrettson, in money, timber
and labor, $300; Freeborn Garrettson, Jr.,
superintendent, $300; Mr. George Suckley,

Churches 161

John L. Suckley, Rutsen Suckley and Thomas
H. Suckley, Mary Suckley, Sarah S. Suckley,
Catherine Suckley, $100; Col. Henry B. Living-
ston gave 480 loads of stone in quarry ; Edward
Livingston gave $50 ; Robert L. Livingston,
$50 ; Thomas Tillotson, $40 ; Mrs. Thompson,
$50; Mrs. Gen. Armstrong, $20; Mrs. Margaret
Astor, $20 ; Koert Du Bois, $25. Everybody in
the village who could give gave something,
from one dollar up to twenty dollars each.
Mr. Zebulon Hibbard gave the inscription
stones ; Mr. Brewer of Kingston the key-
stones for doors and windows in front of the
building ; Mr. Rutsen Suckley gave two of the
Birmingham lamps ; Miss Catherine G. Suck-
ley presented the sacramental cups ; William
Cross and Robert Dixon gave the mahogany
table within the altar; and John E. Brooks
made and presented the book-board.

At a meeting of the trustees held on the
8th day of December, 1823, at the parsonage
house, then occupied by James Young, "the
ruling preacher in charge on the circuit, "
James Raisbeck and John E. Brooks were
appointed a committee to take charge of the
"new cemetery." It was agreed that all such
as belong to the Methodist church at Rhine-
beck and its vicinity, and all such as are in
the habit of attending worship in its mission

162 Historic Old Ehinebeck

chapel, and contributing- to the support of
the gospel in said chapel, shall be privileged
to inter their dead in said burying ground,
under the direction of the committee.

The Rev. Freeborn Garrettson entered the
ministry in 1775, and was appointed presiding
elder over the district extending from Long
Island to Lake Champlain in 1788. In 1827,
while at the house of a friend in the city of
New York, he was ^aken suddenly ill and
died in the seventy-sixth year of his age and
the fifty-second of his ministry.

The church was incorporated with Freeborn
Garrettson, the nephew, William Cross, Nich-
olas Drury, Jeffery H. Champlin and William
Mink, as trustees, the 2d day of June, 1829,
and the certificate thereof recorded on the
eleventh of the same month, in Liber No. 1
of Records of Church Incorporations, pages
97 and 98, clerk's office, Dutchess county.

A deed for one rood and thirteen perches of
land for a parsonage lot in the rear of the
church lot was presented to the church by
Hon. Edward Livingston on the 12th day of
November, 1829 (all the village land having
come into his possession by the will of his sis-
ter, Janet Montgomery, which was admitted
to probate and recorded by James Hooker,
surrogate of Dutchess county, on the 28th of

Churches 163

April, 1827). A new parsonage was built on
this lot the same year at a cost of $1,305.79.
The subscriptions to meet this expenditure
amounted to $664. Of this amount Mrs.
Catherine Garrettson gave $300; Freeborn
Garrettson, $75 ; William B. Piatt, $15 ; Rev.
George W. Bethune, $10 ; David Rowley, $10 ;
Cornelia Bayard of Philadelphia, $10 ; and
fifty -five others in proportion to their means
and their interest in the work of the Metho-
dist church.

On the 30th of June, 1832, Mrs. Catherine
Garrettson presented the church with half an
acre of land for the burying ground south
of the village, on the conditions that the
church surround it with a good fence, and per-
mit no more interments in the yard attached
to the church. The deed for this cemetery is
dated March 27, 1835.

A deed for half an acre of ground adjoin-
ing the parsonage lot was presented to the
church by Mrs. Louisa Livingston, widow of
the Hon. Edward Livingston, on the 7th of
November, 1838. (She came into the posses-
sion of all the worldly estate of her husband
by his will, dated at Paris, on the 7th day of
March, 1835, and admitted to probate by
James Hooker, surrogate of Dutchess county,
on the 23d day of July, 1836.)

f 64 Historic Old Rhine beck-

In 1834 the church found itself in debt in
the sum of $954, and appealed to the court for
leave to sell the old parsonage and lot, the
proceeds to be applied in payment thereof.
An order permitting the sale was obtained by
John Armstrong-, Jr., on the 1st of October,
1834; a strip on the north end, thirty-two
feet front and rear, on which there was a
"new school house," to be reserved. The
sale was not immediately effected, and the
premises continued in possession of Harvey
Seymour as tenant. On the 12th of Novem-
ber, 1838, it was resolved to sell the premises^
with the reservation on the north, to Robert
T. Seymour, for $600. Failing in this it was
rented to Mr. Seymour for another year at
$50, and in 1839 sold to Benjamin Griffin,
then presiding elder of the Methodist church
for the Rhinebeck district, for $500 ; he to
pay the expense of another application to the
court, and fence the lot reserved for a school
house. A classical school — the beginning of
the Rhinebeck Academy — was taught in this
house by the Rev. Samuel Bell, a Methodist
clergyman from the east.

The school house on the old church lot was
the property of Miss Mary Garrettson. The
removal was effected and the lot sold to Rev,
Benjamin Griffin for $5 per foot.

f Churches 1 65

In 1848 the church found itself in debt in
the sum of $1,005. Mr. Rutsen Suckle}^ gave
$1,000 with which to pay it on condition they
would not run in debt again. In this same
year Miss Mary Garrettson surrendered her
trust in the church lot to the trustees of the
church, having held it for a period of twenty-
six years.

( >n the 14th of June, 1849, Mrs. Catherine
Garrettson, widow of the Rev. Freeborn Gar-
rettson, died very suddenly at Montgomery
place, then the residence of her sister-in-law,
Louisa, the widow of Hon. Edward Living-
ston. Born on July 13, 1752, she was in the
forty-first year of her age when she married,
and in her ninety-seventh when she died. She
was calm and dignified in her manner, tall
and stately in her person. Kindly disposed
toward all who met her, she was generally
loved and respected.

In 1851 the portico and steeple were added
to the church edifice at an expense of $1,100.
A bell being desired, Rev. L. W. Peck, the
minister, was authorized to write to Mr.
Suckley for leave to run in debt $200 to pro-
cure one. He declined to consent, but sent a
donation of 850 toward the amount named.
The record says he was thanked for his lib-
eral subscription, and because of the financial

166 Historic Old Rhinebeck

condition, "which they found so favorable
that the bell was immediately purchased."

In 1853 the church received a donation of
five acres of land in the Bucobush (Beech-
woods) from Miss Margaret B. Livingston,
which was sold for $70 per acre, and the pro-
ceeds applied to pay church debts.

In 1854 the church found itself in debt again,
and obtained an order from the court to sell
the lot purchased from Gilbert Akerly on the
1st of May, 1845, the proceeds to be applied
to the payment thereof. It was thus sold on
the 5th of December, 1854, to Miss Mary Gar-
rettson, for $400.

On the 19th of February, 185G, Miss Mary
Garrettson made a gift to the church of five
acres of land for an addition to the cemetery ;
and it was resolved that the cemetery thus
enlarged should be styled the "Rhinebeck
Cemetery of the Methodist Episcopal Church. "
On the 27th of August, 1853, she had given
half an acre of ground for a cemetery for the
people of color. This is all now part of the
present Rhinebeck cemetery grounds.

In 1863 the church edifice was considerably
enlarged, internally reconstructed, and much
improved, at an expense of six or seven thou-
sand dollars.

In 1868 the church received a gift from Miss

Churches 1G7

Mary Garrettson of the Akerly lot, and built
the present handsome and commodious Sun-
day school and lecture room upon it.

In 1871 the parsonage was reconstructed
and enlarged, and is now, with its handsome
situation, a very desirable residence.

Mr. Rutsen Suckley, whose liberality and
devotion so often came to the relief of the
trustees when they found themselves in need,
and who was held in very high esteem by the
people of Rhinebeck generally, died in the
city of New York on the 22d, and was buried
from this church on the 24th of June, 1875.
A funeral discourse, bearing deserved testi-
mony to his worth, was preached by the Rev.
Dr. Holclich of the Methodist church. A
large and beautiful organ was put into the
gallery in the fall of 1876, at an expense of
$2,500, and was a memorial gift from Mr.
Thomas H. Suckley for his brother Rutsen.

Thomas H. Suckley also gave a desirable
tract of land, called "Mt. Rutsen," on the
north of the village, to the conference of the
Methodist church, as a home for superanuated
ministers. A chapel and several dwellings
were erected on these grounds for this deserv-
ing object. It was a worthy charity from a
proper source. Many aged ministers came to
live there. The location was delightful ; the

n»s Historic <>/</ Rhinebecft

surroundings all that could be wished Pcm
For some reason, however, it was abandoned,
the property sold to Col. John Jacob Astorr
the chapel and houses torn down, and it is
now a desolate waste place.

Miss Mary Garrettson, the daughter and
only child of the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson
and his wife, Catherine Livingston, died March
(J, L879. Born on the 8th of September, L794,
she was in the eighty-fifth year of her age.
She had been a constant and generous sup-
porter of her church, ami the large audience
at ber funeral obsequies attested that her loss
was deeply and widely felt by her people.

The position, character, piety and wealth
of Mrs. Catherine Garrettson gave great
prominence in the denomination to the Rhine-
beck Methodist church. II she had not had
her residence nearby there would w^\^\- been
beard sermons in a Rhinebeck pulpit from
President Notf of Union College, Dr. Kirk
of Boston; from Mallet, Sn lerfield, Derhin,

Olin, Eioldich, Pitman and IA>ss of the Meth-
odist church. There arc no Garrettsons or
Buckleys connected with the church to-day.

This historic temple of Methodism in "ye
olde town " stood for three-quarters of a cen-
tury a monument to the faith and the faith-
ful. II had witnessed the passing away ol

~ -1 1

^Jlj- 2 ^3^.

iH

' vvv Try

'

MISS MARY GARRETTSON

Daughter of Rev. Freeborn Garrettson and Catherine Living-
ston; granddaughter of Margaret Beekman
" TO KNOW HER WAS TO LOVE HER "

Churches 169

the Garrettsons, its founders, and also of the
Schuylers, Suckleys, Bownes, Bronsons, Cur-
tises, and very many other active, earnest,
influential members and supporters. New
names were on the roll of membership; new
people filled its pews. The echoes of a cen-
tury, however, bore testimony of the great
work accomplished since Rev. Freeborn Gar-
rettson, in 1791 or 1792, preached his first
sermon to the people, and Daniel McCarty
and Charles Doyle led in prayer. Who can
measure the good credited in the book of
life that followed this humble start ? On a
cold winter's night in 1899, when the fires in
the furnaces were warmly burning to heat the
building-, a defective flue proved its undoing*.
A lire destroyed the old church. The lamen-
tations of the people of the town were joined
with the sorrows of the congregation, but
the church was no more. This fire was an
important event in the history of the village.
An account of it and of the building of the
present ornamental and substantial edifice in
its place will be found in Chapter 12 relating
to the village. Rev. Stephen F. White was
the pastor of the church at the time the fire
occurred. We are indebted to him for the
facts.

The church has had many eminent pastors.

170 Historic Old Rhinebeck

The records were burned in the fire of 1899,
and the list of early names is incomplete.
We are indebted to Rev. Wilbur F. Brush, the
present beloved pastor, for the following- par-
tial list. It starts with the Dutchess circuit
in 1788, which covered Rhinebeck : Cornelius
Cook, Andrew Harpending- and Freeborn Gar-
rettson (presiding- elder), 1788 ; Samuel L.
Talbot and Benjamin Abbott, 1789 ; Peter
Moriarty and Menzies Raynor, 1790 ; Thomas
Everard and Zebulon Zankey, 1792; Samuel
Fowler and Robert McCoy, 1793; Jacob Rick-
how and David Browm, 1794 ; Phillip Wager
and Joseph Mitchell, 1797 ; Billy Hibbard,
1798 ; Rog'er Searle, Joseph Totten and Syl-
vester Hutchinson (presiding- elder), 1799 ;
William Thatcher and Peter Jane, 1800;
David Brown, Sylvester Foster and Billy
Hibbard (in 1802 Billy Hibbard was ordained
elder in the Methodist church at Rhinebeck
by Bishop Asbu^); Datus Ensign, 1804;
Daniel Ostrander, 1806 ; Freeborn Garrettson
is put down as preacher in Rhinebeck in 1808
(there were then 1,077 white and 40 colored
members in Dutchess circuit); Merritt Richard-
son and Aaron Hunt (presiding- elder), 1810 ;
Samuel Horn and Jesse Hunt, 1820 ; Timothy
Benedict, 182G; Fitch Reed, 1828; Stephen
Remington, 1829 ; Samuel Cochrane and Loren

Churches 171

Clark, 1831; David Holmes, 1839. About
this time Rhinebeck was an appointment
by itself, with the following' pastors : Bar-
tholemew Craigh, 1840 ; John Trippett, 1841
Thomas Burch, 1842 ; L. M. Vincent, 1844
Charles B. Sing. 1845 (here there is a lapse)
George F. Kettell, 1862-5; W. G. Browning,
18G6 ; Charles S. Harrower, 1867-9 ; Andrew
J. Hunt, 1870 ; E. B. Otheman, 1871-3 ; Angelo
Ostrander, 1874-5 ; Richard Wheatly, 1876-9 ;
John G. Oakley, 1880-1 ; John J. Dean,
1882-4; Edmund Lewis, 1885-7; Walter A.
Chadwick, 1888-90; T. H. Baragwanath,
1891-3; W. A. Mackej^, 1894-6 ; Frank Beale,
1897; S. F. White, 1898-9; R. M. Stratton,
1900-2; O. A. Merchant, 1903-5; Wilbur F.
Brush, the present capable minister, in charge
of a flourishing church and a large congre-
gation, 1906-8.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH

There were Baptists in "ye olde town " soon
after the revolution, perhaps before. The
Styles' family came prior to 1800. Then there
were Reeds, Thompsons, O'Harras, Slaters,
Canfields, and in 1796 Robert Scott settled in
Rhinebeck. The distinctive belief that bap-
tism Could only be administered to persons
who could give an account of their faith, and

172 Historic old Rhinebeck

then only by the immersion of the whole body
in water, gave the sect its name " Baptists."
There are a dozen or more divisions or kinds
of Baptists. The system of church govern-
ment, each cong-regation being- independent
of interference from without and complete in
itself, is the "home-rule" idea adapted to
church work. The extension of the "light
hand of fellowship" by sister churches con-
stituted recognition of the church and its min-
ister as orthodox in the matter of doctrine,
and thence properly established as a Baptist
church. Robert Scott was the founder of the
the Rhinebeck church. He was an educated
man ; a carpenter by trade. Madam Mar-
garet Beekman Livingston induced him to
come to Rhinebeck. He opened first a store
and then a classical school. His friend, Mr.
Slater, had bought Daniel McCarty's lease
of the land and house on South street, still
known as the "Scott premises," and opened
a store. Robert Scott bought him out, lot,
house and store. He continued the business
for four years, when he gave it up, opening
a boarding- school. He followed the occupa-
tion of a teacher and surveyor for the balance
of his life.

Among- many noted pupils were : James
Stokes, who was a member of the firm of

Churches L73

Phelps, Dodge & Co., and then of the banking-
firm of Phelps, Stokes & Co. Henry Stokes,
former president of the Manhattan Life Insur-
ance Company, was his pupil for about nine
years. B. Stokes, who was killed by the fall-
ing- of the store of Phelps, Dodge & Co., in
Cliff street, and several of the Colgate fam-
ily, among them Robert Colgate, president of
the Atlantic White Lead Works, were pupils
of Mr. Scott ; also several Vassers and Slaters.
Thomas Stokes, of whom a memorial book has
been published, was one of his last pupils.
" His ministerial life," it is said, " never ceased
from eighteen years of age; where a door
was opened there he went, whether a court
house, dwelling house or barn." He pub-
lished the following works: " Antidote to
Deism/'* " Chronology from the Creation to
the Year 1810," " A Treatise on Our Blessed
Lord's Return to this Earth," and last, "His
Own Funeral Sermon." He was known as
Father Scott.

The record, made by Father Scott himself,
tells of the beginning of the Baptist church
in Rhinebeck. It is as follows :

"This certifieth that on the Lord's day,
June 2, 1821, Elder Freeman Hopkins preached
at Rhinebeck Fiatts, and after examination
upon their profession of faith in the Lord

174 Historic Old lihinebeck

Jesus Christ, baptized the following- persons :
John Reed, William Styles, Calvin O'Harra,
Wadsworth Brooks, Jacob Dedrick, Elizabeth
Thompson, Ann Logan, Catherine Thompson,
Elizabeth Ann Thompson and Caty Myers;
and that the said persons, with Robert Scott,
James Canfield, Ann Cook, Elizabeth Scott,
Mary Scott, Jane Scott, James Styles, Jr.,
and Sarah Styles, agreed to enter into a cov-
enant to walk in fellowship as a church of the
Lord Jesus Christ."

Letters wTere, at the request of these peo-
ple, sent to the churches in North East and
Sandisfield, requesting them to send delegates
to sit in council with them on Wednesday,
July 4, 1821. These churches sent their dele-
gates, and the evening* of the day appointed '
a council was formed, the delegates present
being as follows : From the church in North
East, Elders Freeman Hopkins and Buttolph ;
brethren, Filo M. Winchell and Nicholas Yas-
burg. From the church in Sandisfield, Elder
Jesse Hartwell ; brethren, Jonathan Smith,
Sylvester Doud and Asahel Doud. These
delegates, with the brethren dwelling in
Rhinebeck, constituted the council. Elder
Jesse Hartwell was chosen moderator, and
Elder John Hopkins, clerk; " when the mod-
erator, in behalf of the council, extended to

Churches 175

the people of the Rhinebeck organization the
right hand of fellowship as a sister church."
And thus the Rhinebeck Baptist church came
into being* on the 4th of July, 1821.

Having heard Robert Scott on his experi-
ence and call to the work of the ministr}7, and
on his views of doctrine, at the request of the
church the council voted to ordain him. Elder
Jesse Hartwell was selected to preach the
sermon. Elder John Buttolph to make the
consecrating prayer ; Elders Hopkins, But-
tolph and Hartwell to lay on hands; Elder
Hartwell to give the charge ; Elder Buttolph
to give the right hand of fellowship ; and
Elder Hopkins to make the concluding prayer.
At 10 o'clock on the morning of the next day
the church met and carried out this program
in the presence of the people. And thus
Robert Scott, at the age of sixty years, was
ordained to the work of the gospel ministry,
and placed over the infant Baptist church of
Rhinebeck as a pastor. There was no Baptist
house of worship, and these services were con-
ducted at the house of Elder Scott.

The book of records sets forth quite elabo-
rately the creed to which these people sub-
scribed on entering this church. It says that
it is the duty of baptized believers to unite
together in fellowship, to walk in the com-

176 Historic Old Rhinebeck

inandments and ordinances of the Lord ; and
that where this is done there is a Christian
church, competent to elect its own officers,
and call upon them to do their duty ; that the
Holy Scriptures are a sufficient, and the only
rule of faith and practise ; that baptism is
the immersion of the whole body in water;
that it may represent a burial and resurrec-
tion, and that nothing' else is baptism ; and
that "it is the duty of believers to break
bread together often ; " and in 1831 the church
resolved to do this "every Lord's day ; " and
it was so done for the space of nearly ten
years thereafter.

At a church meeting held on the 29th of
July, 1821, the record says: "Brethren
Stokes and Colgate of York were with us."
At the monthly meeting held September 30,
1821, it was asked whether the church would
proceed to ordain deacons ; but, upon consid-
eration, it was concluded that, as in the prim-
itive church, none were appointed until needed,
we need not do it until they are wanted.

The church at this early day had no local
habitation. It assembled sometimes in one
place and sometimes in another ; occasionally
in Kingston. It met in Kingston on the 16th
of June, 1822, and again on the 8th of Sep-
tember, when Ann Yoorhis and Eliza Showers

Churches 177

were baptized in the Rondout creek, and the
day was concluded by public worship in the
court house. On the 23d of February and
the 31st of August, 1823, the church met at
Kingston again. On the 30th of June, 1825,
James Canfield was set apart for the office of
deacon by the imposition of hands. At a
meeting held on the 28th of December, 1823,
it was made known that Mrs. Janet Mont-
gomery had given a lot of land to the Bap-
tist church, and James Canfield and Robert
Scott were appointed a committee to solicit
assistance and oversee the building of a
"small, convenient house for the use of the
church for public worship." At a meeting
held on the 31st of October, 1824, it was
recorded that the building of a house for pub-
lic worship had commenced ; that it had been
inclosed and covered ; that it was thirty feet
wide, thirty-four feet long and eighteen feet
high from the ground. At a meeting held on
the 29th of May, 1825, it was agreed to defer
the next meeting "until the first Lord's day
in July, as it was expected the meeting house
would be done by that time." The house
being ready, public worship was held therein
for the first time on the 3d day of July, 1825.
The record is that "Brother Scott preached
at ten and broke bread ; that Brother Bab-

178 Historic Old Ehinebeck

cock preached at two p.m., and after he had
preached, bread was again broken." On
November 26, 1825, the record says, "as
there was no prospect of getting stoves for
the meeting house this fall, it was agreed to
hold our meetings in the school house during
the winter." On the 20th of August, 1826,
the church met at Kingston again, and on the
1st of October, 1827, James J. and Robert
Styles, from Kingston, and Eliza Styles were
baptized in Rhinebeck, and received into
church fellowship ; and on the 28th of October,
1827, William J. Styles was ordained a dea-
con by the imposition of hands, to assist Dea-
con Canfield. On August 24, 1828, the record
says, " Brother Thompson from New York,
formerly pastor of the Old General Baptist
Church in the city of Norwich, in England,
has visited us, and preached amongst us with
universal approbation."

At the yearly meeting on the 4th of July,
1830, the record says, "since the constituting
of the church, nine years ago, forty-two have
been baptized, two have died, five have
been excluded, three dismissed to join other
churches, and three moved to a distance from
us, but had no dismission, so that there are
left" thirty-six members. Of this number
ten were Styleses, as follows : James Styles,

Churches 179

Sr., James Styles, Jr., William J. Styles, dea-
con ; James J. Styles, Robert Styles, Sarah
Styles, Sarah Ann Styles, Jane Styles, Eliza
W. Styles and Julia Styles.

On the 15th of August, 1831, Deacon James
Canfield died, and on the 26th of May, 1831,
James Styles, Jr., of Kingston, was appointed
trustee in his place ; and, on the 12th of May,
1832, George Snyder was appointed deacon in
his place.

In June, 1833, innovations were distracting
the church, and Rev. Robert Scott records
an address to the brethren. The opening
paragraph is as follows: "To the church
of baptized believers at Rhinebeck Flatts :
Brethren, I have for a long time past perceived
that I should in the end be obliged to bear
testimony against the innovations introduced
amongst us, and thereby, perhaps, sacrifice
the friendship of some, if not of you all; or
else, for peace sake, sacrifice the truth." He
died on the 24th of September, 1834, in the
seventy-fourth year of his age.

At the death of Mr. Scott, in 1834, the inno-
vators against whom he had so earnestly
protested, obtained full control. The church,
however, did not prosper under the "inno-
vators," as Father Scott called them. For
several years it barely kept alive.

£80 Historic Old Rhinebeck

At a meeting- held at Sister Scott's, on the-
15th of August, 1842, Elder Isaac Bevan, a
regular Baptist minister, came into view for
the first time. An election of trustees pro-
posed was, on his motion, postponed for want
of legal notice. Due legal notice having- been
given, on the 8th of October, 1842, John
Reed, George Snyder and Walter Sitzer were
duly elected trustees, to serve until the 4th
of July, 1843, and it was agreed that from
henceforth there should be a meeting of the
church held on the last Friday of every
month. At the next meeting Rev. Isaac
Bevan, his wife Mary and her sister, Hannah
Lewis, were admitted to membership in the
church, and by a unanimous vote Dominie
Bevan was chosen to preside over its meetings
until the end of the year, with John Reed,
who, it seems, was the church's presiding
elder by a previous vote.

Hon. William Kelly became a resident of
Rhinebeck in 1841. He was a Baptist and
wealthy. His support was substantial and
gave to the church new life.

Rev. Isaac Bevan continued in the pastor-
ate until January, 1848. He added twenty
members to the church by baptism, and built
up the Baptist church at Tivoli, in Red Hook,
at the same time.

Churches i 81

Dr. James Lillie, having- become a Baptist,
and entering- the service of the American Bible
Union as a translator, took up his residence
in Rhinebeck. He joined the church here
on the 19th of June, 1852, his wife joining at
the same time. He served it as pastor for a
short time, and gave his hearers the benefit
of his studies of both the Hebrew and Greek
texts of the Scriptures. His last sermon, on
the meaning of the word "hell" in the Old
and New Testaments, was preached to a
crowded house in the Dutch Reformed church
on invitation of the pastor.

The Baptist^ and dressing- rooms were
built in 1867, under the direction and at the
expense of the Hon. William Kelly.

The original church lot was fift37-one feet
wide and one hundred and eighty deep. It
was a gift from Mrs. Janet Montgomery in
1823. The deed for it was given after her
death by Edward Livingston, her brother
and heir, on July 25, 1829, in fulfillment of
her intention. It was given to Scott, Reed
and Can field, and their successors in office, as
trustees, forever. In 18G9, on the widening
of Livingston street, the Hon. William Kelly
purchased what Avas then left of the corner
lot, and added it, a gift, to the church lot.
It was thus increased to eighty-nine feet

182 Historic Old Ehinebeck

front, and made a corner lot. At the corner
of Montgomery and Livingston streets it is
one of the best situated church lots in the
village. In 1890 the present modern and
substantial church building- was erected^
largehy through the efforts of the Reed
family.

Dr. Richard Fuller of Baltimore, Dr. Wil-
liam R. Williams of New York, Dr. Martin
B. Anderson, president of the University
of Rochester, and Dr. Kendrick, professor of
Greek in the same, have preached from the
pulpit of this little church; it cannot be
doubted that those who worship there have
heard as good sermons as were ever preached
in the village of Rhinebeck.

We are indebted to the Rev. George D.
Merry, the present pastor, for a list of min-
isters since organization : Robert Scott, from
1821 to 1834; Elder John Block, from 1834 to
1842; Isaac Bevan, from 1842 to 1848; Terry
Bradly, from 1849 to 1850 ; James Lillie, from
1852 to 1853 ; Samuel W. Culver, from 1854
to 1857 ; M. R. Forey, 1858 ; William I. Gill,
from 1858 to 1859 ; church supplied by mis-
sionary, from 1859 to 1869 ; Albert M. Pren-
tice, from 18G9 to 1874; B. F. Leipsner, from
1874 to 1875 ; George W. Barnes, from 1875 to
1880 ; S. G. Nelson, from 1881 to 1884 ; church

Churches 18:

supplied by students till 1889 ; Charles GL
Dil worth, from 1890 to 1894 ; C. C. Smith, from
1894 to 1898; B. L. Newkirk, from 1898 to
1900; L. A. Mitchell, from 1901 to 1906;
George D. Merry, 1906.

Rev. L. A. Mitchell married Miss Cora
Reed, a daughter of Thomas Reed, a liberal
supporter, and a grand daughter of John
Reed, one of the founders of the Baptist
church in Rhinebeck. He is now located at
Camden, South Carolina, the pastor of a
thriving- church.

THE THIRD OR VILLAGE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Rev. Charles A. Smith was the founder of
the village Lutheran church. He had the
co-operation of John Benner, a leading" mer-
chant, and John T. Schryver, a large prop-
erty owner. He ivas pastor of St. Paul's
(Wurtemburgh) church at the time. He
preached there mornings, and as he lived in
the village, he preached in the Baptist church
evenings. A very intelligent and attractive
preacher, the church soon became too small
for his audiences. Most of his hearers were
village people belonging to different churches
or no church ; but the large majority wTere
Lutherans. Many of these were from the
country and manifested a preference for a

184 Historic Old Rhinebeck

village Lutheran church. From out of these
facts arose the effort which resulted in the
organization of the Third Evangelical Lu-
theran church, and erection of the present
village church.

This house was built in the summer of 1842
by a building committee, of which the Rev.
Charles A. Smith and John Benner were the
working members. The lot on which it stands
was the gift of John T. Schryver, who came
in possession of the lands on Livingston street
as a member of the misnamed Rhinebeck
Improvement Company. Edward Livingston
sold this company all lands in the village of
which he become the owner as the heir of
his sister, Janet Montgomery. The house
was built at the head of and in the track of
Centre street, because Mr. Schryver would
give the land just there and nowhere else.
This building in the track of a street was a
favorite notion of Mr. Schryver, and proved
troublesome to a sou in after years, us told
in Chapter 12 on the village, when the old
Schryver homestead was removed after a long
and bitter legal fight.

The church was built at a cost of $5,500, and
when completed was, by common consent, the
handsomest church edifice, in its interior finish
and style, in the town. The pulpit especially

Churches 185

was not only a new thing- in town, but a very
chaste and elegant thing- of its kind ; and it
sealed the doom of all the old pulpits in the
ne i glib o rho o d . *

Mr. Smith continued to minister to both the
Wurtemburgh and the village church until
1849, when he took charge exclusively of the
village church. He. continued in this until
1851, when he accepted a call to a Lutheran
church in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Rev. William D. Strobel came into the pas-
torate in 1873. In the summer of 187G he
had important alterations and repairs made
in the interior of the church edifice. He had
the platform of the pulpit brought down to a
level with his people; the pew doors removed
and the pews widened ; new windows, a new
desk, and a new altar rail constructed, and
the whole interior of the building newly
painted and handsomely frescoed. This work
was done at a large expense, under the doc-

* The "Thompson home " on Livingston street was
built by Lewis Marquart for a Lutheran parsonage.
Rev. Charles A.Smith lived in it as a tenant for a
couple of years It was considered in 1843 the model
house of the village. The joiner work in it was done
by James Latson, an ingenious young Rhinebeck car-
• penter, and the mason work by John E. Giles, the
miser and religious imposter and beggar, who was
found dead in an out-house at Niskaunah, in 1880,
with nineteen thousand dollars in government bonds
and five thousand dollars in cash on his person.

186 Historic Old Rhinebeck

tor's supervision, and with credit to all con-
cerned.

The following- pastors followed the founder,
Charles A. Smith, in the order named : John
M. Cross, 1851 ; John Hopler, 1855 ; Jacob H.
Heck, 185G; E. H. Lubkert, 1859; W. H.
Luckenbach, 1862; R. Hill, 1865; Henry L.
Ziegenfuss, 1868; William D. Strobel, 1871;
D. L. McKensie, 1882; A. M. Whetstone,
1886 ; N. R. McCutcheon, 1890 ; A. E. Deitz,
1893 ; L. D. Wells, the present pastor, began
his labors April 1, 1899.

Two of the pastors selected Rhinebeck girls
for wives. Rev. H. L. Ziegenfuss married
Miss Ella, daughter of Isaac F. Van Vliet,
M.D. He joined the Episcopal church, and
was the very able rector of the leading- church
in Poug-hkeepsie until his death.

Rev. A. E. Deitz married a daug-hter of
Mr. H. N. Secor, and accepted a call to a Cali-
fornia church, where he is now stationed.

In the sixty-six years of the church's his-
tory there were two hundred and forty-two
marriages and two hundred and sixty-five
baptisms (infant). Present membership of the
church, one hundred and twenty.

We are indebted to Rev. L. D. Wells for
valuable information contained in the fore-
going- sketch.

Churches 187

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

As early as 1846 Episcopal services were
held in the village, sometimes in the Metho-
dist and often in the Baptist church, on Sun-
day afternoons. These services were held at
least once a month. Rev. Mr. Johnson of
Kingston generally officiated. About 1850 a
large hall in the building erected by Alex-
ander Baker, on the southwest corner of East
Market and Centre streets, was used for these
services, which then became more frequent.
This was known as the " Baker building," and
was the property of Cyrus B. Morse. There
were several Episcopalians in the town at this
time. Eliphalet Piatt, M.D.; Isaac F. Van
Vliet, M.D.; George Lorillard, M.D.; Gouv-
erneur Tillotson, Ambrose Wager, Theoph-
ilus Gillender, James M. Pendleton, William
and Charles S. Wainwright, Lewis Livingston,
Isaac F. Russell, Marshall E. A. Geer, were
among the number. The officiating clergy-
men, when services were held in the "Baker
building," were Revs. Sheldon Davis, Reu-
ben Sherwood, D.D., Henr^v E. Montgomery,
D.D., George Waters, Bishop J. C. Talbot,
Bishop Wainwright, and others. Bishop
Wainwright was an uncle of the Wainwright
Brothers, who then lived in Rhinebeck. Dr.

188 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Montgomery was related to the Garrettsons.

In 1852 Rev. Richard S. Adams came
to reside in Rhinebeck with the object to
establish a church. Services were then regu-
larly held every Sunday morning- in the
"Baker building-." In August of that year
the preliminary steps to organize and incor-
porate a church were taken, and on the
18th day of August, 1852, the certificate of
incorporation was made and filed. The rector
w;is Rev. Richard S. Adams; the wardens,
Eliphalet Piatt and Isaac F. Van Vliet; the
vestrymen, James M. Pendleton, Gouverneur
Tillotson, George W. Clarke, Ambrose
Wager, Julius Bellard, Isaac F. Russell,
Georg-e Lorillard and Marshall E. A. Geer :
sexton, William Betterton.

Mr. Rutsen Suckley gave the lot for the
church building on the corner of East Market
and Mulberry streets. The cornerstone was
laid September 16, 1852, at 2.30 P.M., the fol-
lowing clergy being in attendance :

" The Rector of the Parish, Rev. Reuben
Sherwood, Rev. George B. Andrews, Rev.
William B. Thomas, Rev. Samuel Buel, Rev.
William Watson, Rev. Sheldon Davis, Rev.
George Waters, Rev. Jonathan Coe, of the
Diocese of New York, Rev. J. C. Talbot, of
the Diocese of Kentucky."

Churches 189

After the usual solemnities had been per-
formed Rev. Mr. Coe read a paper bearing- the
following- inscription, a duplicate of which is
deposited in a tin box in the cornerstone :

"The Parish of the Church of the Messiah
was organized August 18th, 1852. The Cor-
ner Stone was laid \>y the Rev. Reuben Sher-
wood, D.D., rector of St. James' Church,
Hyde Park, on Thursday, September 16th,
1852. Rev. Richard S. Adams, Rector."

"Eliphalet Piatt, M.D., Isaac F. Van Vliet,
M.D., wardens."

"James M. Pendleton, Gouverneur Tillot-
son, George W. Clarke, Ambrose Wager,
Julius Bellard, Isaac F. Russell, George Loril-
lard, M.D., Marshal E. A. Geer, vestrymen."

There are likewise therein deposited the
names of the village trustees, the names of
the building committee, Theophilus Gillender
and Gouverneur Tillotson, the name of the
donor of the lot of ground (Rutsen Suckley,
Esq.), on which the edifice is to stand, the
names of the master carpenter and mason;
also a Bible and prayer book, a church
almanac, a number of the Churchman, a
number of the Gospel Messenger, a num-
ber of the Rhinebeck Mechanic and Gazette,
and a number of the Rhinebeck Gazette and
Dutchess Count 1 1 Advertiser.

11)0 Historic Old Hhinebeck

The cornerstone was then laid by the
Rev. Reuben Sherwood, D.D., of St. James'
church, Hyde Park ; after which an address
was delivered by the rector of the parish and
listened to with marked attention by the large
audience.

George Veitch, who came to Rhinebeck in
1851, to erect the Jones (now Finck) mansion,
was the architect and builder. Hiram T. Van
Keuren was the master mason. Edward Hol-
dridge the painter and decorator. The doors,
sash, pews, rails and mouldings were made at
the factory of Cyrus B. Morse. The tin work,
furnaces and gutters by N. W. H. Judson.
In 1901 this church propert}^ was sold to the
Catholic people, and is now the Church of
the Good Shepherd of that denomination.

The church was consecrated on the 6th
day of October, 1855, by the Right Rev.
Horatio Potter, D.D., provisional bishop of
the diocese.

The Rev. Richard S. Adams was the first
pastor. He was elected on the 18th of De-
cember, 1852, and resigned on the 24th of
December, 1853, thus serving the church as
pastor for one year.

The Rev. George Herbert Walsh succeeded
Mr. Adams. He was elected on the 1st of
June, 1854, and resigned on the 18th of June,

Churches 191

1866, having- served the church for twelve
years. He was highly regarded as a member
of the community. He retained the esteem
and affection of all his people to the last.
The lecture room and the chapel at Rhineclitf
were built and the rectory purchased during
Mr. Walsh's term.

The Rev. A. F. Olmsted succeeded Mr.
Walsh. He was elected rector on the 29th of
September, 1866, and entered on his duties on
the 1st of November, 1866, continuing until
his death in 1895, when Rev. E. C. Saunders,
the present rector, was called.

The following persons have been large con-
tributors to the support of the church : Mrs.
Mary R. Miller, Mrs. Franklin Delano, Miss
Elizabeth Jones, Horatio Miller, Edward
Jones, William Astor, Lewis Livingston, Am-
brose Wager, John Jacob Astor, Levi P.
Morton, George N. Miller, Ernest H. Crosby,
Douglass Merritt and Robert B. Suckley.

During the year 1881 the church was
thoroughly repaired and painted, handsomely
decorated in the interior, and received four
large and costly oil paintings by celebrated
artists, and some chancel ornaments from
Rome — a gift from Mrs. Francis H. Delano.

Among the wardens since 1883 the names of
Theophilus Gillender, James M. De Garmo,

192 Historic Old Rhinebeck

James F. Goodell, M.D., and John Jacob
Astor appear.

Among* the vest ry men since 1853 are the
names of Edward Jones, Theophilus Nelson,
Thomas Edgerley, F. H. Roof, M.D., Jam#s
C.McCarty, Cyrus B. Morse, David F. Sip-
perly, R. P. Hunting-ton, Horatio Miller,
William Astor, Lewis Livingston, Dr. H.
Behrens, Jr., John O'Brien, Doug-lass Merritt,
George N. Miller, A. Lee Wager, Douglass
Marquardt, Robert B. Suckley and Ernest H.
Crosby.

The Episcopal congregation, the wealthiest
in the town, became dissatisfied, not only
with the church building, but with its loca-
tion. Forty years had passed since the
organization of the parish. In 1895 the ves-
try purchased the Schell property on the cor-
ner of Montgomery and Chestnut streets.
This was an eligible site for a church. It was
decided to erect on it one that would be cred-
itable in every respect to the parish and the
Episcopalians in "ye olde town." Hoppin &
Koen, the well-known architects of New York
city, were employed to prepare the plans and
specifications. This was an augury that
everything would be of the very best. Cur-
nan & Kearns were awarded the contract for
the mason work. Ackert & Brown for the

THE CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH
FOUNDED 1852 ERECTED 1896

RECTORS
RICHARD S. ADAMS AARON F. OLMSTED

GEORGE HERBERT WALSH ERNEST C, SAUNDERS

Churches 193

carpenter work. George Hag-adorn was the
decorator. The present substantial stone edi-
fice was the result. Money was not spared in
its construction. The building cost $70,000.
It is in every respect what a rural Episcopal
church should be, plain, massive, attractive.
It stands on the corner of two main streets,
one the much-traveled old post road. It is an
ornament to the village, beautiful in design,
bearing evidence of the wealth, culture and
zeal of those who worship within its walls.
There are in it several appropriate and ex-
pensive memorial windows. One to William
As tor, in his lifetime a liberal supporter of
the church, cost, it is said, at least $10,000.
One to Susan Watts Street, daughter of Mrs.
Levi P. Morton. One to Florence Adele Kip-
Humbert ; the central figure is said to be a
likeness of Mrs. Humbert. One to Rev.
Aaron F. Olmsted, for thirty years rector of
the parish. One to Miss Julia Ann Traver.
The elaborately carved pulpit was a memorial
gift of Mrs. William Astor to the memory of
her husband. A marble bust of our Saviour
was the gift of Warren Delano, Jr. A new
organ was placed in this church this summer
as a memorial to a daughter of former vice-
president and Mrs. Levi P. Morton. The
parents were the donors. The cost of this

194 Historic Old Rhine&eck

organ is stated to be $5,000. On a tablet in
the lobby of the church appears the following- :

CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH
Founded MDCCCLII

THIS BUILDING WAS ERECTED

MDCCCXCVI

Reotor, Ernest C. Saunders

WARDENS

J. J. ASTOR, J. F. GOODELL

VESTRYMEN
H. Behrens, Jr. Douglas Marquardt

Ernest H. Crosby Douglas Merritt
Jas. C McCarty George N. Miller
A. Lee Wager
BUILDING COMMITTEE
J. J. Astor E. H. Crosby

Geo. N. Miller R. B. Suckley

Rev. E. C. Saunders
ARCHITECTS
Hoppin & Koen

This church has had but four rectors in the
fifty-six years of its existence : Richard S.
Adams, George Herbert Walsh, Aaron F.
Olmsted and Ernest C. Saunders.

HILLSIDE AND RHINECLIFF M. E. CHURCH

The Methodists had so increased in numbers
and influence in "ye olde town " by 1855 that
chapels became necessary for their accommo-
dation at convenient points. One was located

Churches 195

at Hillside on the post road near the Hyde
Park line, and another at Rhinecliff, on the
river. These hamlets were given names to
designate them as distinct localities of the
town. Rhinecliff was the Schatzel-Russell
farm, on which the Hudson River Railroad
Company had placed the Rhinebeck depot.
The ferry company had made Schatzel dock
its eastern landing- place. It promised to be a
village of some importance. We are indebted
to the present pastor, Rev. J. W. Bohlmann,
for the list of ministers who have served these
churches jointly since 1855. In 1888-9 Rhine-
cliff was a separate church, with N. Brusie
as pastor, and Hillside was joined with Staats-
burgh, with H. C. Humphrey as pastor. The
other years are as follows : Albert J. Hunt,
1855-6; Andrew Hunt, 1857; Q. J. Collin,
1858 ; Asa P. Lyon, 1859 ; E. B. Otheman,
1860; E. S. Osbon, 1862-3; C. S. Harrower,
1864-6; C. W. Millard, 1867-8; S. G. Keyser,
1869-71; W. A. Chadwick, 1872-4; L. C. H.
Adams, 1875-7; J. P. Buxton, 1878-80; G.
B. Mead, 1881; M, E. Ketcham, 1882-4; J.
N. Yeager, 1885-7; L. T. Conrad, 1890-1; T.
H. E. Richards, 1892-6; J. B. Cross, 1897-8;
Aaron Coons, 1899-1901 ; B. N. Lewis, 1902-4 ;
John Wesley Bohlmann, 1905-8.

Mrs. Stephen Olin was the moving spirit in

196 Historic Old Rhinebeck

the erection of the Hillside M. E. church.
She was a very devout Christian woman.
There is an appropriate tablet in the church
to her memory. Her family are still earnest
and liberal supporters of this little church.

Officers of the Hillside Methodist Episcopal
church for 1908 : Stewards, J. C. Brown, G.
L. Asher, Edwin Brown, Stephen Tator, W.

B. Brown and George T. Cronk ; trustees,
Henry L. Quick, J. C. Brown, Edwin Brown,
G. L. Asher, John Knox, Robert Brown,
Charles 0. Emory, Herman Asher and W.
H. Tator; Sunday school superintendent, J.

C. Brown; organist, Genevive Brown; presi-
dent Epworth League, W. B. Brown; presi-
dent W. F. M. S., Mrs. A. L. Schryver.

Officers of the Rhineclitf Methodist Epis-
copal church for 1908 : Stewards, Thomas E.
Hester, Roswell Beach, F. J. Corn well, J. G.
Hey wood and Frank Tator; trustees, J. T.
Bird, F. J. Cornwell, W. B. Noxon, E. P.
Wheeler, J. T. Heywood, T. E. Hester, John
Huston, J. S. Merritt and Frank Tator; Sun-
day school superintendent, J. T. Bird ; organ-
ist, Clara Beach.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES

For many years prior to the erection of the
Catholic church at Rhineclitf there was quite

Churches 197

a big- following- of members of the Catholic
denomination in the town. They went on
Sundays in large numbers to Rondout to
attend church service. In 1862 Rev. Michael
Scully, an enterprising- priest, came to the
village to organize a parish. Services were
held and well attended in the Starr Insti-
tute. The question of location of the church
building was the all-important one. Some
wanted it in the village, others at Rhinecliff.
The village at first was decided upon. A lot
was purchased and steps taken to build a
church on the northwest corner of Livingston
and Mulberry streets. The advocates of
Rhinecliff objected. They were strong in
numbers. This lot was then sold, and finally
became the property of Henry Latson. His
son, Dr. Frank Latson, is the present owner
and occupant^ In 1863 George Rogers of
Tivoli bought of Charles H. Russell six acres
of land at Rhinecliff for $4,000 and deeded the
same over to Rev. Michael Scully, the parish
priest, for a church lot and cemetery. St.
Joseph's church at Rhinecliff was erected on
this lot, under the direction of Father Scully,
in 1864, with George Veitch as architect and
John Bird as master mason. Rev. M. F.
Aylwarcl is now the priest in charge.

In 1901 the Catholics purchased the Epis-

108 Historic Old Rhinebeck

copal church property on the southeast cor-
ner of East Market and Mulberry streets,
repaired and improved it and established the
"Church of the Good Shepherd." Rev. M.
F. Ay 1 ward is also in charge here. It is a
flourishing- church but not independent of St.
Joseph's parish at Rhinecliff.

CHAPTER IX

SCHOOLS

Ck The schoolmaster is abroad, and I trust to him,
armed with his primer, against the soldier in full mili-
tarj' array." Lord Brougham.

THE schoolmaster came early in the town's
history. The Dutch — high and low —
believed in the three R's. The Kipsbergen
youth were instructed by a pedagogue who
traveled from Esopus at stated intervals.
The Palatines depended upon the ministers to
teach on week days and preach on Sundays.
From 1715 to 1725 we And both Rev. John
Frederick Hager, the German Reformed min-
ister, and Johannes Spaller, the Lutheran,
teaching. The small sums paid by the parents
for teaching each child was not only accept-
able but eagerly sought for. It was made
a religious duty to send a child to school.
Ex- Judge Alfred T. Ackert, who was a teacher
in "ye olde town" in early life, as was his
grandfather, Capt. Jacob M. Ackert, said
that the school discipline was strict and that
the dominie made the rules for school govern-
ment. We are indebted to him for a copy
of the early requirements. They are plain

199

200 Historic Old Ehinebeck

and covers the contractual relation between
parent and teacher. A summary of the rules
for conducting- schools in operation about 1760
is as follows :

1. The school shall open and close with prayer.
. 2. The hours shall be from 8.30 to 11.30 o'clock in the
morning, and from 2 to 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

3. The schoolmaster shall be paid for instruction for
three months, for every scholar in high Dutch spelling,
reading and writing, five shillings ; and in English
spelling, reading and writing, five shillings, and in
ciphering six shillings. A load of firewood shall be
brought by those who send scholars to school for each
scholar for use in the school, every nine months ; they
shall also pay the schoolmaster as usual and for each
scholar sent. The schoolmaster shall keep school five
days in every week.

4. The schoolmaster shall occupy and be in charge
of the school house ; he shall give three months' notice
should he wish to give up his work.

There were others besides ministers engaged
in the business of teaching- the "young idea
how to shoot." It was a fee service, more
beneficial to the scholar than profitable to the
teacher. Rev. Samuel Bell and Rev. Robert
Scott, both in the "long- ago," maintained
and taught classical schools on the flatts.
The town has never lacked good teachers.
The first mention in the records of a school
in the town is in the deed made by Col. Henry
Beekman on the 26th day of August, 1730, of

Schools 201

the lands for the Reformed Dutch church on
the natts. (See pages 124-7.) The next is in
a letter written by Robert G. Livingston to
Franz Neher and others, trustees, on the 12th
day of February, 1759, for land for the Rhine-
beck Lutheran (stone) church. (See page
115.) The next is on the 7th day of Feb-
ruary, 1796, in a release made by George and
Sebastian Pultz to the trustees of St. Paul's
(Wurtemburgh) Lutheran church. (See pages
147-8.) In 1805 the district school system
was introduced. Several of the townspeo-
ple entered the list of school teachers under
that system, and Rhinebeck has since fur-
nished its full quota of school teachers. The
district system soon became popular and cer-
tainly supplied a pressing demand. Private
schools, however, still continued, and the
names of Mrs. Seymour, Mrs. Thompson,
Mrs. Ewing, Miss Landon, Miss Fowkes, Miss
Bogardus, are remembered as popular and
satisfactory teachers of the boys and girls in
the clays of yore.

Learning the a-b abs was the first lesson
following the alphabet. The New England
primer, a small volume containing a collection
of little stories, proverbs, rhymes and ques-
tions, with quaint wood cuts, was the first
book. It was religious in tone. The alpha-

202 Historic Old Ehinebeck

bet was g'iven with a picture and rhyme for
each letter. This was probably the earliest
school book in English. Reading and spell-
ing" were taught with it.

Beginning to write the children made what
was called " hooks and trammels." The
hooks were curved lines, the trammels straight
ones. Then came letters, words, sentences.
The quill pen, made by the teacher and mended
as occasion required, served every purpose in
writing-. Making1 or mending" was something
of a knack. The ruler, plummet (a stick of
black lead) and a bottle of ink, completed the
pupil's outfit for writing-. They were taught
to count on their fingers, then addition, sub-
traction, multiplication and division com-
pleted the arithmetic course. Slates, pencils
and ciphering- books were the needed outfit in
this branch. In this simple manner the three
R's were covered, and the average child's
education counted finished. History, gram-
mar, geography, did not figure in the curri-
culum.

At home the girls and boys of the period
were brought up in the line of honest work
and conscientious labor. The schooling the}'
obtained was necessarially limited but good.
"Book learning," as it was called, sufficient
to enable them to read understanding];^ to

Schools 203

reckon in Dutch and English money, to write
a fairly intelligible letter, and to repeat their
catechism when required was counted an edu-
cation. More important than book learning
for girls were numerous housewife duties,
and for boys the useful handicraft trades
at which each in their line very early in life
were taught to turn their hands. They soon
learned the value of muscle for labor and wit
for trade. Both girls and boys became pro-
ficient in the use of their hands.

In "ye olde town" one district followed
another after 1805 to meet the demand of
population. Families were growing numer-
ous. Sons and daughters, grandchildren and
great grandchildren were finding and found-
ing homes of their own. Names were chang-
ing and interchanging, and all the puzzling
intricacies of Dutch relationship were mani-
fest. School girls soon developed into farm-
ers' wives or burghers' "vrows"; carding
and spinning, baking and making. School
boys were soon getting footholds, learning
trades, following the plow, intent upon becom-
ing useful citizens and the heads of families.

The school houses were generally small one-
story buildings, not too well built, heated by
a wood stove in winter. The big boys took
turns in preparing the wood and making the

204 Historic Old llhinebeck

fires. The room was usually plain and bare,
except a map or two on the wall and a
so-called blackboard. The teacher's pay was
small, $20 or $25 a month, but his expenses
were light. He "boarded round" — that is,
with each family in the district for one, two
or more weeks, depending- upon the number
of children the family sent to school. The
teacher at the beginning of a term would fix
the length of his stay with each family by
this rule. His salary was net. His having
to "warm so many beds" was a joke at
tavern and store gatherings. Yet boarding
around had its advantages. It was an open
door to much that was worth knowing. It
was an event in a family when its turn came,
and a big sister appreciated a bright, good-
looking young man teacher, and made his
stay with her parents pleasant.

The school year had two terms, summer
and winter. The memories of punishments
inflicted at school are vivid with most of us.
What then caused fear and trembling has
been mellowed by the years that have passed.
The "deestrick skule " served its purpose.
The free school system of to-day grew out of
it, and it is an admirable system.

Th<4 village school, Union Free School Dis-
trict No. 5, is the most important school in the

Schools 205

town. For sixty 3'ears very little if any change
had been made in the school accommodations.
The same little oblong', one-story, two-room
structure answered in 1868 the requirements
of teachers and pupils as it had for thirty
years or more. The teachers, Howe, Lyman,
Snyder, Mink, Cross, De Witt, Traver, Taylor,
Wilbur, Van Wagenen, Wells, Brown, and
others, did as best they could, and they did
well, considering- what they had to do with.
If there was fault to be found it was not with
the teachers.

The number of children of school age in the
district in 1865 had nearly doubled since 1860.
At the annual school meetings, commencing-
with 1865, the question of better school
accommodations and facilities was raised.
This was repeated in 1866 and 1867. Nothing,
however, was done except talk. In 1868 Capt.
Van Wagenen, the president of the Board of
Education, and Dr. William Cross, a member
and clerk of it, convinced of the necessity for
favorable action on the subject of improve-
ments, consulted with several representative
men of the district as to what was best to be
done under the circumstances. Parents send-
ing children to school wanted better condi-
tions. Taxpayers, only, did not. A large
number who really favored something better

206 Historic Old Rkinebeck

than the old school house were for one reason
or another lukewarm. From this point we
will let Dr. Cross tell the story.

" Prior to the school meeting- in 1868, Capt.
Van Wagenen, discouraged because the pros-
pect for improved school facilities was not
favorable, but determined to make a fight to
secure what could be had at the coming meet-
ing, suggested that the board obtain legal
advice as to its powers and duties so as to
avoid any question of illegality in its pro-
ceedings. We decided to do so. We invited
Counsellor Howard H. Morse to attend a
meeting of the board. He came, and after
hearing our statement said that we had no
power to emplo}7 counsel in the matter. That
what was needed was a leader, not a lawyer.
The law was plain enough. The first step
must be to find out if a majority of the voters
of the district favored improved school facil-
ities. If backed by a majority the board
could do whatever was necessary. Acting
on this advice, we canvassed the district to
obtain an expression of opinion. The even-
ing of the meeting found the school room
crowded, many standing outside unable to
gain admission. William Van Etten was
elected trustee. The routine business was
transacted. Mr. Morse, to get the matter

Schools 207

of ' improvements ' before the meeting, moved
' That the sum of five hundred dollars be
raised by tax, and that amount expended by
the board on such improvements to the school
building- as were necessary to make it suitable
for school purposes.' The motion was sec-
onded and stated by the chairman. Mr.
Morse proceeded to point out the defects and
requirements, the intention being to have an
amendment to his motion made to increase
the amount to two thousand dollars. At this
point a motion was made to adjourn, which
was at once put and declared carried by the
chairman. Mr. Morse protested without avail.
He then requested all friends of the school to
remain in the room. Very few retired. Ex-
citement ran high. What to do was the
question considered. It was decided to take
an appeal to the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, that officer being the court of
appeals in school matters. Hon. Abram B.
Weaver wras the superintendent. An appeal
was made for those remaining at the meeting
by Silas Terwilliger. The matter was argued
D3r Howard H. Morse for the appellant and
Ambrose Wager for the respondents. Superin-
tendent Weaver ordered another meeting
held. This was called but was again adjourned
without reaching action on the main question.

208 Historic Old Rhinebeck

By this time the district was thoroughly
aroused. Everybody — voters and non-voters,
male and female, old and young, took sides.
Every voter became enthusiastically inter-
ested for or against. Another appeal was
taken by Mr. Morse and another meeting- or-
dered by Superintendent Weaver. This meet-
ing was held on the 25th day of March, 1869,
in the Starr Institute. Herrick Thorn was
made chairman. Two hundred and fifty voters
were present and nearly one hundred who
were not voters. The feeling was intense on
both sides. The villagers were on the anx-
ious seat. The question had resolved itself
from the one of repairs to the old building to
another, the erection of a new school house.
An attempt was made to complicate it with a
proposition to sell part of the school house
site and apply the proceeds to repairs. Coun-
sellor Morse led the 'new school house ' advo-
cates and Counsellor Wager the opposition.
It was a fair controversy, well handled on
both sides, the lawyers apparently being the
only ones who kept cool. New school house
won on both questions voted upon. Two hun-
dred and fifty votes were cast."

Counsellor Wager took an appeal from the
action of this meeting, and Superintendent
Weaver, in his decision, states the facts :

Schools 209

State of Neiv York— Department of Public Instruction.
On the appeal of Ambrose Wager and others from
Proceedings of a Special Meeting of Union Free School
District No. 5, Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co.

Before the Superintendent.
Ambrose Wager for Appellants.
Howard H. Morse for Respondents.

DECISION

This appeal is brought from the action of a special
meeting held in the said Union Free School District
No. 5, on the 25th day of March last. That meeting
was held in pursuance of the directions of this
Department, given for that purpose when passing
upon a former appeal brought here from the same
district, and in which was involved the same subject
of controversy as in the present case, viz. : the propo-
sition to sell a portion of the real estate of the district
and to erect a new school building therein.

On these two questions there seems to have been
for some time past considerable excitement and quite
a difference of opinion among the voters of the district.
The district has been agitated upon these subjects at
least as far back as the annual meeting therein.

The appeal first referred to was brought from the
action of a special meeting of the said district held on
the 14th day of November, 1868, which had been called
to reconsider action taken at the annual meeting in
regard to selling a certain portion of the school house
site, &c.

From the facts appearing on that appeal, I became
convinced that the proceedings of the special meeting
of November 14th were not a correct and reliable indi-
cation of the views of the district on the subjects of
controversy among the inhabitants, and, for the pur-

210 Historic Old Rhinebeck

pose of getting a fair and full expression of the district
on the two questions above mentioned, I set aside the
proceedings of that meeting, and ordered another
meeting to be called by the trustees, for the purpose
of taking action in regard to selling a portion of the
school house site, and to the building of a new school
house for said district ; and I announced that the
action of such meeting should be final. The meeting
so ordered was duly held, after a full and fair notice
to the voters, as it would appear, on the 25th day of
March last, and it is from the action of that meeting
that this appeal is brought. At that meeting it is
proved that 250 ballots were cast, on the subject of
selling any portion of the school house site ; that two
of these ballots were thrown out as defective by rea-
son of there being more than one folded together ; and
that of the remaining 248 ballots, 139 were against sell-
ing and 109 in favor of so doing, showing a majority of
thirty against the measure. It appears that on the
question of building a school house, 211 votes were
cast at the meeting, 120 of which were for so building,
at a cost of $8,000, 87 at a cost of $6,000, and the
remaining four were blank votes, showing a clear ma-
jority of 29 of all the votes cast to be in favor of build-
ing at the first-named sum.

To meet this expression, apparently so decisive, of
the questions submitted to the meeting, the appellants
have attempted to impeach the proceedings on various
grounds of alleged unfairness and fraud in the conduct
of them. After a full and careful consideration of the
evidence submitted to me by the respective parties,
and which I do not deem it necessary to discuss here
in detail, I have come to the conclusion that the appel-
lants have entirely failed to prove that the proceed-
ings of the meeting were either unfairly or fraudulently

Schools 211

-conducted. They also allege that those voting in the
majority at the meeting represent a much less part of
the taxable property of the district than do those
who voted in the minority. This argument is not
entitled to much consideration. The law which gives
the right to the inhabitants of a district to vote makes
no discrimination between the votes cast by them.
All who possess the necessary legal qualifications,
whether of property or otherwise, to take part in a
meeting, are entitled to have their ballots, when cast,
equally regarded. I have no right to make a discrim-
ination in this matter where none has been made by
the Legislature.

In conclusion, I cannot refrain from expressing the
hope that, as the questions which have so much agi-
tated and divided the district of late are now finally
set at rest, all will unite in their efforts to advance the
common good in respect to their educational interests ;
and that the success in that direction, which can alone
be looked for where there is united and harmonious
action among the voters, will crown all the future of
what should be a flourishing Union Free School
District.

The Appeal is hereby dismissed.
Given under my hand, and the seal of the Department
of Public Instruction, at Albany, this 25th day
LL-S,J of May, 1869.

ABRAM B. WEAVER,
Superintendent of Public Instruction.

This decision settled the matter. A new
school house was to be built at a cost of
$8,000. It in fact cost about $9,000, addi-
tional sums being- appropriated. Plans and

212 Historic Old Rhinebeck

specifications were prepared and approved by
the board. The contract for the erection of
the building was awarded to Peter M. Fulton^
a well-known architect and builder residing- in
the village, he being- the lowest bidder. The
work progressed rapidly, and on the 22d day
of Februarj', 1870, the spacious new building*
was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies to
the cause of education. From the Rhinebeck
Tribune, a village newspaper, we cull these
facts :

" The large hall of the building was filled to
overflowing by an appreciative audieuce, who
manifested enthusiasm and evinced inter-
est in the exercises that proved them to be
earnest, devoted friends of the public school.
Mr. Wager and Mr. Morse, the lawyers en-
gaged in the controversy as to the building
of the school house, were present, showing
that no ill feeling over the result remained.

" The afternoon's exercises commenced with
the singing of a piece, entitled ' Our Celebra-
tion,' by the. entire school. After the sing-
ing- a passage of Scripture was read by the
Rev. Mr. Prentice ; then a prayer by the Rev.
C. S. Harrower ; then Master Frank Jennings,
one of the scholars, delivered the dedicatory
address in an eloquent and graceful manner.

" The primary class sang a piece, entitled

THE RHINEBECK HIGH SCHOOL

'Tis education forms the common mind;
Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined.

Schools 213

* Teachers, Watch the Little Feet.' During
the singing* of this piece the organ was pre-
sided over by Miss Ida Smith, a member of
the school.

"Mr. Henry W. Mink then gave a brief his-
tory of the free schools in Rhinebeck. From
1811 to 1839 school was kept for a short time
every year in different parts of the district by
itinerant teachers. In 1839, after a prolonged
and exciting contest, the South street lot was
purchased and an edifice erected thereon. In
1844 the district was divided, and the Oak
street building erected. In 1848 the South
street building was enlarged, and from thence
until the erection of the present handsome
edifice, the school accommodations have
remained the same. In 1839, on the opening
of school in the then new building, under
the charge of a Mr. Rowe, one hundred and
forty-four scholars were received. From that
time to the present the school has been under
the charge of different teachers, many of
them very able men. Mr. Mink's reminis-
cences were very interesting, and his remarks
elicited the applause of the audience.

"One of the classes of the school next song
'A Festive Song,' after which Professor
Cavert, a former principal of the old academy,
when it was an incorporated institution,

£14 Historic Old Rhinebeck

and later Deputy Superintendent of Public
Instruction, delivered an address on ' Educa-
tion— Physical, Moral and Intellectual.'

" Another class sang- a piece, entitled ' Press
Onward,' when the Rev. Mr. Talmage was
introduced. He spoke of the advantages of
first-class school accommodations in a place
like Rhinebeck ; of the impression made on his
mind on his first visit to our village, when he
was shown the old school building and was
told that it was the Rhinebeck public school.
He said the new house was what the village
had needed for a long time ; that it was an
insult to the people to say that they could not
afford to have good school accommodations ;
that the present edifice was not too expensive
for the wealth of the place, and it was in
keeping with the other buildings in the village
erected and maintained for public good. He
compared the present building, with high
ceilings, perfect ventilation, spacious halls,
where the scholars had plenty of elbow room,
with the narrow, contracted, dismal pest
house in which they had formerly been penned
up, and he congratulated the friends of pop-
ular education in the accomplishment of their
object, believing that Divine Providence had
smiled on their undertaking and crowned their
efforts with success. Mr. Talmage was lis

Schools 215

ten eel to with marked attention, and was fre-
quently greeted with applause. At the
conclusion of his remarks the scholars sang- a
parting- song*, when Rev. Mr. Prentice pro-
nounced the benediction, and the larg-e audi-
ence dispersed. The singing* by the scholars,
collectively in classes, was very fine. Miss
Sarah Cramer, one of the teachers, presided
at the org-an with much skill."

In 1869 Capt. Van Wag-enen was re-elected
trustee, and Dr. Cross was re-elected in 1870.
In 1871 the question of establishing* an aca-
demic department was an issue. The old
board was not favorable. There was a con-
test on the election of trustee. One hundred
and forty-five votes were polled. Howard H.
Morse had sixty-seven, Edwin Styles had
fifty-three, and William Van Etten, retir-
ing- trustee, twenty -five. Mr. Morse with-
drew and Mr. Styles was elected. In 187*3
Howard H. Morse was unanimously elected.
The academic department was established.
In 1873 Alonzo C. Noxon was elected, and this
made the board a unit for academic education.
The present hig-h standard of the school dates
from this period. In 1901 a larg-e addition
was made to the school building* to meet
increased demands, and from time to time
needed improvements have been secured.

?A 6 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Teachers with qualifications for their respec-
tive positions were employed, and to-day
the Rhinebeck hig-h school will hold its own
with any in the State. For the school year
ending- July 31, 1908, its revenue was $7,267.81.
It disbursed for teachers' wag-es, $4,497.50.
Eig-ht teachers are now required. The non-
resident pupils7 account reached $240. The
assessed property of this district is $1,011,124.
There are 303 children of school age in the
village district.

There are now twelve school districts in the
town. The Oak street school, where Richard
Bailey, Henry Jennings and others taught
school many years ago, was abandoned in
1860, and the district consolidated with No. 5,.
making- a district covering- the villag-e. The
school property was sold, and the building-
became a blacksmith shop. All of the schools
are well maintained, and some of them are
the special pride of wealthy residents in their
neighborhood. The Rhinecliff school is the
second largest in the town. On the road map
in the front of this volume is shown the loca-
tion of each school, and the district number
is given. No boy or g-irl in the town need
be without adequate education. Liberal sums
are annually voted and raised by tax for all
school purposes.

Schools 211

THE RHINEBECK ACADEMY

The academy was incorporated in 1840 as
an educational institution. A suitable build-
ing- was erected on Living-ston street. It was
the successor of Rev. Samuel Bell's classical
school, which had existed for several years.
It had a board of trustees, mostly Methodists
Rev. Benjamin Griffin of that denomination
was m fact its founder. Rev. Stephen Schuy-
ler was the president of the first board of
trustees. It was from the start a high-class
school, and numbered among- its pupils the
young- men and women of the village who
were seeking- advanced education. Rev. Sam-
uel Bell was its first principal. He was fol-
lowed by Park, Marcy, Harper, Cavert.
Browning-, Schmidt, Davenport, Comfort^
Powers, Stocking-, and one or two others
whose names are not recalled. An efficient
corps of teachers assisted them. Garrett-
son, Teller, Styles, McCarty, Bates, Ostrom
Jenning-s, Hoff, Schell, Elmendorf, Kip'
Sprague, Drury, Seymour, Smith, Piatt, Gil-
lender, Judson, Wag-er, Morse, De Witt
Tremper, Traver, Ten Broeck, Ring-, are
names on the academy roll of students. It
was a popular town institution and held hig-h
rank in the educational field. In 1860 the

218 Historic Old Ehinebeck

property was purchased by Professor James
M. De Garmo, and under his able manage-
ment for many years maintained its high
standard. In 1871 he erected a large addi-
tion to the old building to accommodate his
increasing number of out-of-town students.
The roll of students of the De Garmo Insti-
tute will compare favorably with any similar
institution. The names of some of the old
academy boys, from 1840 to 1890, are and
will be favorably remembered as ministers,
physicians, lawyers, teachers, engineers, bank-
er's, merchants, scientists, artists, etc. Pro-
fessor De Garmo removed his institute to
Fishkill-on-Hudson, and about 1890 the build-
ing was turned into an inn. The Rhinebeck
high school now offers all the advantages of
the old academy to its pupils.

Bell's classical school building was twice
moved, and is now a barn on the rear of
Charles E. McCarty's premises on Centre
street.

Gov. Morgan Lewis of Rhinebeck was the
father of the free school system of the State.

CHAPTER X

WHY AND WHEREFORE

" There is occasions and causes, why and wherefore in
all things." Shakespeare.

NATURALLY, after the lapse of many
years and the passing' away of old places
once of some local importance, the question
will be asked, Why ? When the German
church was built in 1716, and the road to the
east opened, a corner was made on the Kings
highway with an object in view. Judge Beek-
man and his son, Col. Henry, had well con-
sidered plans lor the development of their
land. It is clear even now that this corner,
"Kirchehoek," was intended to be a "dorf,"
the German name for a village. The church
was the commencement. It was called the
Rhinebeck church. The east road became
the road to Rhinebeck. This was to be the
name of the village. Judge Beekman thought
he had made this certain. A tavern, in those
days a necessary appendage, was soon in
operation nearly opposite the corner. The
next move was a road to reach the river
through Beekman's land. This was opened,
starting only a short distance below the
219

220 Historic Old Ehinebeck

church corner, running west to a convenient
point on the river that afterwards was
called, first Rutsen's, next Schultz's and
then Mills dock. On the southeast, or
highway, corner of this road a building was
erected that was used for many 3^ears as a
store and storehouse. A man named Schem-
erhorn, followed by one named Shop, kept
store there. A wheelwright, blacksmith and
harnessmaker located in the vicinity. All
this showed method on the part of the Beek-
mans. The why and wherefore are plain.
In a few years all the adjuncts of a small
village were gathered about Kirchehoek. By
1737 it was the principal business centre of
"ye olde town," with "the flatts " as a
healthy rival. It had a landing place on the
river easy of access, but it lacked a mill.
Judge Beekman had been dead for several
years. Col. Henry had married a second
time, and was living in the Kip-Beekman
mansion in Kipsbergen. His two sisters were
married. It was agreed to partition the
Beekman land, in which they were tenants in
common. This was done August 30, 1737, as
shown by map on page 221. Parcel A was
a gift to Col. Henry from his father in 1713.
(See page 22.) Parcels B and C were pur-
chased by Col. Henry of Peek De Witt in

Why and Wherefore

221

1715. (See page 21.) The remaining- land
was divided into six tracts, numbered 1, 2, 3,
4, 5 and 6. Col. Henry took 1 and 6. His
sister Catherine 2 an 5, and his sister Cornelia
3 and 4.

The portion that fell to Corneiia Beekman,
the wife of Gilbert Livingston, was partly in
the present town of Red Hook, as was all of

222 Historic Old Khinebeck

the land purchased by Col. Henry Beekman
of Peek De Witt, shown on the map as tracts
B and C. Kirchehoek was in Rhinebeck, and
was the southwest section of Cornelia's tract
No. 3. The flatts are on tract No. 6. East
of the King's highway on this tract the land
was owned by Col. Beekman, excepting- the
church farm and Ostrander purchase ; on the
west was William Traphagen. The Dutch
church had been built several years before;
also at the foot of Mill hill, Beekman's grist
and saw mill. Traphagen's original tavern
was there on the north side of the Sepasco or
river road and not far from the King's high-
way. The town pump came later.

A few 3^ears after the partition Jacob Rut-
sen, a son of Catherine Beekman, having- at
the age of twenty-seven married his cousin,
Alida Livingston, the daughter of Cornelia
Beekman and Gilbert Livingston, settled on
tract No. 2. This was in 1743. His own inter-
ests loomed up. With Col. Henry, his uncle,
the owner of tracts 1 and 6 and A on the
south, Kipsbergen on the river; the making
of a village well under way on and around the
flatts ; he realized that tracts 2, 3, 4 and 5,
and the settlers there required to be made
independent of his uncle's mills and docks.
Kirchehoek was Rhinebeck, and it needed

Why and Wherefore 223

help. The why and wherefore were plain.
Helping- it would help his own and his wife's
land. They had no conflicting- interest in the
flatts or Kipsberg-en.

In 1744 Eutsen's mills were erected on
Landsman kill near the church road, south-
west of the present residence of Dr. Miller.
They were only a short distance from the
Sepasco road. The country round about was
attracting- settlers. There were many pro-
ductive farms in the neighborhood. A man
named Eighmie became the miller. In after
years Eighmieville was a busy locality. The
Ehinebeck road, the road to market, brought
the farmer to Kirchehoek. The two churches,
school, Smith's tavern, Schermerhorn store,'
Eutsen's landing-, with a wheelwright, black-
smith, harnessmaker and other mechanics
within reach answered every purpose and
made matters run smoothly. There was room
then, apparently, for all. This condition con-
tinued until after the revolution. Col. Beek-
man died in 1776. Livingstons came. Jacob
Eutsen died in 1753. Schuyler, Suckley and
Bowne came.

In 1800 the conditions were considerably
changed. The flatts, the ferry, the landing-s
on the river in former Kipsberg-en seriously
hurt Kirchehoek or Ehinebeck on the north.

224 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Then in 1802 came the Ulster and Saulsbur3%
also, sometimes, called the Ulster and Dela-
ware turnpike, with toll-gates. Paying- toll
to travel over a road did not appeal to farm-
ers. A man named Schultz was at the landing
known as Rutsen's. He improved it. Ran a
sloop to New York and ferried over those who
wanted to cross the river. A store, store-
house, smithery and tavern, all on this dock,
soon appeared. Paying- toll was not required
to reach Schultz's dock. The Rhinebeck road
was popular, the turnpike was not. The why
and wherefore need not be asked.

Capt. Cowles, a sloop owner and merchant,
the father of William S., James A. A., Henry
B. and Edward E. Cowles, representative men
of the locality, had a store on Mills dock. He
did a large business. He came from Con-
necticut. His sons, William S. and James A.
A., were clerks in the dock store, and in after
years leading merchants on the flatts. In
1834 Edward E. was a justice of the peace.
He removed to New York city, and was a
prominent lawyer there. In 1841-3 James A.
A. was supervisor of the town. Mills dock
has further mention on pages 61-3. The why
and wherefore of its existence are plain.

On the next page is a picture of Mills dock
as it was prior to the Wxar of 1812-14.

Why and Wherefore

225

It is said that the storehouse on the Long-
dock was similar in plan to the one on Mills

o
tt d

£5 M

00 „

I— » •

00

dock ; there is also a resemblance between it
and the one on the Slate dock.

;-_t> Historic Old RTiinehecl

BEAR MARKET

The section of the town on the south, called
" Bare market,'7 since spelled " bear," because
the reason for bare, ceased to be, was so
named by a thirsty traveler who was unable,.
on a "dry " occasion, to obtain liquor at the
tavern there. It was "bare " to him and he
was thirsty.

STONE OR BRICK

Passing- the old Dutch church on the flatts
it will be noticed that the north and cast
walls are built of stone, while the south and
west walls are of brick. This is explained by
the fact that at the time of its erection the
congregation was nearly equally divided on
the question of building- of stone or brick.
Neither side. would yield. The result was —
half stone, half brick. Both sides satisfied.

There is a cave on the farm of Alfred
Welch, east of the village, called by Theodore
Schutt, at one time editor of the Rhine beck
Gazette, "The Robbers' Cave." It is in a
spot that well might have been the haunt of
robbers in early times. There are two or
three rooms, or what are described as rooms

Why and Wherefore 227

in it. To what extent it has been explored is
uncertain. The entrance is small and blocked
by detached rocks. There is water in one
of the rooms. It might easily be made a
more attractive spot. Nature has done con-
siderable. In summer as a resort for strang-
ers, who are numerous in that neighborhood,
it would be interesting-. Schutt wrote a novel
about it, entitled " The Old Stone House and
the Robbers' Cave." It was printed in the
Gazette, and was an exciting and popular,
though improbable story. The old stone
house mentioned was the Kip-Beekman-Heer-
mance house. In bygone times Edward M.
Smith and Philip Snyder, two knights of the
pen, had quite a newspaper controversy over
this cave. Many stories are related of it.
The one about its being " haunted " by the
ghost of a man, who is said to have been way-
laid, robbed and murdered, and his body con-
cealed in the cave, is probablj- the reason the
old residents avoid and try to forget it. It is
rarely mentioned, even if it is known of by
the present generation. We conclude that
the "why " is out of, not in, its recesses.

THE MILITIA

Indian depredations in the early days were
not infrequent, and an organized militia was

228 Historic Old Rhinebeck

maintained for protection. Prior to the revo-
lution the records show that Jacob Rutsen was
a lieutenant-colonel; Aria Roosa, captain;
Evert Bog-ardus, Mattys Sleight, Hendrick
Kip, lieutenants. Nearly every able-bodied
man capable of bearing- arms was enrolled.

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS

The revolution found patriotic sons ready for
military service. The first Rhinebeck company
had John De Witt for captain, Philip Her-
manse and John Steenburgh for lieutenants,
and Jacob Kip for ensign. Capt. Henry B.
Livingston had also raised a company which
contained several townsmen. Col. Van Ness
had a company recruited in Rhinebeck for his
regiment, and its officers were : Herman
Hoffman, captain ; Andrew Hermanse, first
lieutenant ; George Sharpe, second lieutenant ;
James Adams, ensig-n. Later five more com-
panies were raised in the precinct and officered
as follows : No. 1 — Simeon Westfall, captain ;
Peter Westfall, first lieutenant ; Wilhelmus
Smith, second lieutenant; Abraham Dels,
ensig-n. No. 2 — William Radclift, captain;
Abraham T. Kip, first lieutenant ; John De
Witt, second lieutenant; Johannes Moore,
ensig-n. No. 3 — Martin Hoffman, captain ;
Johannes Klum, first lieutenant; Zachariah

Why and Wherefore 229

Hoffman, second lieutenant ; John J. Her-
manse, ensign. No. 4 — David , Van Ness,
captain ; Gotlop Martin, first lieutenant ;
Frederick Bender, second lieutenant; Cor-
nelius Elmendorf, ensign. No. 5 — Jacobus
Kip, captain ; Everardus Bogardus, first lieu-
tenant; Jacob Tremper, second lieutenant;
Benjamin Van Steenburgii, ensign.

Rhinebeck, the home of the Beekmans, Liv-
ingstons, Schuylers, Kips, Rutsens, Heer-
mances, Radcliffes, Ten Broecks, Elmendorfs,
and other noted patriots, did her part and did
it well in the Revolutionary struggle. If there
were tories in the precinct they were not
aggressive. In other parts of the county
the tories were numerous.

ROAD TRAVEL IN 1766

In July, 1766, Mrs. Livingston, then the
young wife of Robert R., who became Chan-
cellor of the State after the war, wrote him a
letter under date, "Clermont, July 12, 1766,"
describing a journey in a carriage from the
city to her home. She said: "We had a
most charming journey the remaining part of
the way. We breakfasted at Van Wyck's,
who lives at Fishkill ; dined at Poughkeepsie,
slept at Rhinebeck, where we arrived at 6
o'clock. The next morning, which was Sun-

'_';.<> Historic Old Kb in check

day, we came home at 9 o'clock, and founo
the family all in good health and spirits."
This journey was made through an almost
unbroken wilderness. The stop in Rhinebeck
was with Col. Beekman, who was the grand-
father of Mrs. L.rs husband.

OI,D DEEDS, ETC.

The deeds, which in fact were durable leases,
given the Palatine settlers, are dated October
20, IT 18.* In form they are alike.

The strip of land on the river, shown on the
map (page 13), north of that of H. Kipy
marked "J. Kip," was sold to Jacob Kip in
1719, by Col. Beekman. H. Kip's north line
was the north boundary of Kipsbergen. We
are indebted to Ex-Supervisor and Ex-Sheriff
James H. Kip, who was born and has lived all
his life near Mills dock, for the information
that enabled Edwin Y. Marquardt, the artist,
to make the sketch that appears on page 225.
We are also indebted to Ex- Judge Alfred T.
Ackert for the sketch of the old German
church on page 35. He obtained it from his
grandfather, Captain Jacob M. Ackert, who
in early life was a school teacher. Mr. Mar-
quardt used this sketch in making the one
printed.

• l'i>r copy of deed, see Appendix,

V) 7/ y and II 7/ ere fore 23 I

THE MARKED TREE

An oak' tree was made the northeast bound-
ary of the Kip purchase from the Indians.
A space was cleared on this tree, which was
nearly three feet in diameter, and the fig-tire
of an Indian was painted on it. Jacob Kip,
one of the patentees, bought more land north
and east of his purchase from the Indians, of
Judge Beekman, so this tree ceased to be his
northeast corner. He was born August 25,
1666. He died in 1733, aged sixty -seven
years. His elder brother and co-patentee,
Hendrick, died twenty years before him. The
Kips now living on the "Ankony " land are
descendants of Jacob.

THE CAMP-MEETING WOODS

The camp-meeting grounds is an ancient
grove of the town memorable in the annals
of the Methodist church. It was set apart in
1804 by Rev. Freeborn Garrettson for camp-
meeting purposes. It is an ideal spot. The
old-fashioned camp meetings were great events
in the history of this church. Garrettson
and his cotemporaries did grand work in their
day. Rev. Andrew Hunt said of these woods :
"Standing among the grand old trees as the
shades of evening creeps over the landscape,

232 Historic Old Rhinebeck

and pausing as if I could hear the voices of
song- and praise that had so oft been lifted
there by the devout and earnest pioneers of
our simple faith, I was uplifted by the sur-
roundings. I knew that within these woods
many a weary soul had been led to that fount
fro m whence flo ws eternal life . Here hund reds
had gathered from far and near to listen to
the preached word. The influence that has
gone out from the old camp-meeting grounds
into the world will continue to be felt as long
as time shall last." Some iconoclast may
destroy the grove, but the good accomplished
there will live long after he has mouldered in
his grave.

HOME SUPPLIES

There was a time when " ye olde town " wa&
not dependent upon outside supply for what
its people wanted to eat. It sent to market
from week to week large quantities of home
products. Its market days were busy ones
for everybody. This was before the advent of
"cold storage." Forty years have brought
many changes. Why and wherefore? As
late as 1876 a trust or monopoly in the neces-
saries of life was unknown. Prior to 1860 the
best of everything required to live upon could
be had at home at reasonable prices. Wheat,

Why and Where fare 333

rye, buckwheat, corn and oats. Vegetables
of every variety. Fruits, apples, pears,
cherries, plums, peaches, berries of all kinds,
even the needed herbs, were raised or grown
at home. The mills ground the flour and
meal. The housewives made butter, cheese,
and lard, baked bread, cakes, etc. Farmers
raised stock, horses, cows, calves, hogs,
sheep, lambs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, tur-
keys, geese, pigeons ; eggs were plenty. The
butchers selected and slaughtered their own
stock. Milk could be had fresh every day in
any quantity; buttermilk also; cider, vine-
gar, home-made wines, honey galore; the
river and streams furnished abundant fish.
Coopers provided barrels, casks and kegs.
The farmer prospered. The merchants were
busy. The mechanics had work in plenty.
Rhinebeck was the home of well-to-do, happy
contented people.

What prevents a return to home produc-
tion, in the essentials at least, sufficient to
meet the wants and supply the needs of those
living in -Historic Old Rhinebeck?" It will
be a lesson for food monopolies and cold stor-
age trusts when farming sections near cities
and villages avail themselves of home oppor-
tunities on practical lines. There is food for
thought in this suggestion.

234 Historic Old Ehinebeck

THE GOLD FARMS

Gold farms have been from 1700 down, and
still would be, under proper handling", numer-
ous and valuable. Farming" is to-day as much
of a profession as medicine or law. Scientific
methods will restore every farm to its old-
time golden condition. Making inferior law-
yers, doctors, ministers, teachers and the like
out of materia] better calculated for good
farmers is more than a mistake. It is — we
leave the reader to fill the blank. The gold
farms of "ye olde town " we started to men-
tion came prominently into notice in 1867-8.
It took a doctor, two, in fact, to locate them ;
Martin and Edwin G. Freleigh; father and
son. The lather had practised medicine in
the town in the fifties. "When the "gold
fever " carried Williams, Teller, Kellogg,
Ring, Schuyler, Teal, and others to California
in search of the yellow metal, Dr. Freleigh
said it "could be found without trouble nearer
home." In after years he proved it to his
satisfaction at least. The farms of Daniel
Murch and Alfred Welch were selected for the
discovery. The voyage was via the overland
route and an innkeeper named Crandell fur-
nished the conveyance. The Murch farm was
purchased and paid for, but the Welch and

Why and Wherefore 235

adjoining- farms were only contracted for.
Daniel became a retired farmer and moved
into the village. Preparations being com-
pleted, two persons " skilled in the art" made
report. Professor George H. Cook comes
first. E. A. Bowser confirmed him.

In a letter dated New Brunswick, December
3, L869, the professor says :

" Having visited your property 3 or 4 miles east of
Rhinebeck, on which gold has been discovered, I make
the following report :

"There is gold in the rocks of that district in paying
quantities. In all these respects my examinations
confirm the printed report of Dr. J. G. Pohle ; of Oct.
13, 1868, and also the printed report of Dr. John Tor-
rey, of Dec. 3, 1868.

"The rock stratus of this district are in a very dis-
turbed condition, the general strike of the rocks being
N. N. E.,and the prevailing dip being towards the E.
8. E„ though it is in some places seen to be \Y. N, \V.
The angle of dip varies but is oftener above 45" than
below it. The structure of the country is well shown
in the plates 16, 17 and 18 of Mather's report on Geol-
ogy of New York, where several sections between the
Hudson River and the eastern boundary of X. Y. are
laid down. *****

" The vein shows a thickness of from 6 to 8 feet of
quartz and slate with iron pyrites.

"1. The solid white quartz, such as crop out at the
surface was assayed and found to contain gold in very
small quantities.

•l,i. The soft slate containing pyrites was assayed
and found to contain a small quantity of gold.

236 Historic Old Rhinebeck

"3. The cellular and. rusted quartz which makes up the
largest part of the vein was assayed and found to con-
tain 5041 grains pure gold to 2,000 lbs. of the sample.
This at 4^ cents a grain would be worth $213.24 gold
per ton. * * * * * Some specimens show the
specks of gold in the rock, without any preparation.
The occurrence of gold at this opening in paying quan-
tities is beyond question.

" 4. Fragments of quartz from the fence * * and
others from quartz vein with surface fragments from
two others of the veins also give a small quantity of
gold. *****

" Upon the value of the ore in the mine I need make
no remarks. It speaks for itself."

It is still speaking-, though the voice is some-
what weak. The why and wherefore is prob-
ably want of a knave and lack of a fool.
There certainly has been no overproduction of
yellow metal from these gold fields. Good
crops bring- better results for the honest
owners.

THE SLATE QUARRY

An enterprise identified with the early his-
tory of Rhinebeck was the slate quarry on
the upper end of Schultz mountain, over the
town line in Clinton. This mountain is seven
hundred and eighty feet high and of slate
formation. Prior to 1800 the quarry was
opened and worked with profit. The slate
was used principally for roofing. New York

Why and Wherefore 237

city was the market. The slate was carried
from the quarry by ox-teams, first to the
Schultz-Mills dock and later to the Slate dock,
which took its name from this fact, and sent
by sloops to the city. The quarry people were
Welsh, and several families settled near the
quarry. They did their business in and
brought much trade to "ye olde town." The
names of Howell, Welch, Weaver, Lewis,
Jones, Williams, Owens, Humphrey and
Morris are remembered as among- the slate
workers. Competition with other quarries,
having- better facilities for handling- and trans-
porting- slate, finally drove them out of busi-
ness. The quarry was closed and remained
idle for many years. About 1870 William
Wood worth, a man familiar with the quarry
history, formed a company, called " The
Hudson River Slate Company." He finally
interested several capitalists. Build ing-s were
erected, machinery purchased and work
started on a large scale. The making- of bil-
liard table tops, mantles, tiles, counters, col-
umns and marbleized work of all kinds was
engag-ed in. A branch factory was estab-
lished at Rhinecliff for finishing* and shipment.
A man named Smith wTas in charge. The
company failed. Stockholders lost heavily.
Cost of handling, teaming- from the quarry

2:58 Historic Old Rhinebeck

to the boats and railroad was a serious draw-
back. The quarry remains. The why and
wherefore of its present condition are as
stated.

THE LOCUST TREES — GRASMERE

Miss Janet Livingston, who married Gen.
Richard Montgomery, lived for a short time
after his death at Grasmere. The general
was a great admirer of locust trees. Mrs.
M. obtained a quantity of the locust seeds
(pseudacacia), and in her walks about the
place scattered them along the roadside and
in selected spots. This is why so many fine
locust trees are to be found on the old Liv-
ingston place, now owned by Mrs. Fanny A.
Crosby. This estate comprises eight hundred
and ninety-eight acres of the best land in the
town. In Mrs. Montgomery's and Lady
Kitty Duer's time it was known as Rhinebeck
house. The house was burned in 1828, and
rebuilt by Peter R. Livingston, its then occu-
pant. He lived there for over thirty years.
Lewis Livingston and his sons, James Boggs
and Lewis Howard, lived there from 1850.
The Crosbys bought it after the death of
Lewis H , the last of the Rhinebeck Living-
stons, which occurred in 1893. It is a histori-
cal place.

Why and Wherefore 239

THE NAME OF BEEKMAN

Irving-, in his Knickerbocker history, gives
the origin of the name of Beekman as follows :
"This great dignitary was called Mynheer
Beekman, who derived his surname, as did
Ovidius Naso of yore, from the lordly dimen-
sions of his nose, which projected from the
centre of his countenance like the beak of a
parrot. He was the great progenitor of the
tribe of the Beekmans, one of the most ancient
and honorable families of the province, the
members of which do gratefully commemo-
rate the origin of their dignity, not as your
noble families in England would clo, by having
a glowing proboscis emblazoned on their
escutcheon, but by one and all wearing a
right goodly nose stuck in the middle of their
faces."

TAP-ROOM TALES

The flavor of colonial clays is presented in
the tales that are told and retold of happen-
ings in olden times. If they are undeniably
connected with a really old and unquestion-
ably quaint tavern like the "old hotel," they
possess a charm that is irresistible. The
parties in the tap-room, shown in the accom-
panying picture, are listening, on a November

•340

Historic Old Rhinebeck

afternoon in the year of 1800, to this exciting
tale : " A female, by the name of Catherine
Berrenger, residing with her parents near

Kirchehoek, in Rhinebeck precinct, fell a vic-
tim to death on the 4th day of November,
1800, by swallowing a portion of Arsenic,

Why and H herefore *^41

supposed to be administered to her by John
Benner, to whom she was promised in mar-
riage, and who is now confined in the goal at
Poughkeepsie for the same offense." This
extract is from an old paper. Benner was
tried, but the jury disagreed. He afterwards
became a useful, respected and prominent cit-
izen of the town.

The why and wherefore always interested
the old-timers. They met at the Bogardus-
Potter- Jacques' tavern, now the "old hotel,"
in the village, and talked over happening's
and events of moment. The picture shows
the tavernkeeper of 1800, Bog-ardus, stand-
ing-, his wife is in the doorway. Martinus
Schryver sitting-, cane in hand, is telling- the
exciting- story. A stranger who has just
arrived, his trunk behind him, a Van Wag-
enen and the landlord's son are listening in
astonishment.

LA FAYETTE

In Aug-ust, 1824, Gen. La Fayette, of revo-
lutionary fame, paid a visit to this country.
He arrived in New York city on the 15th, and
after a few days' rest started up the Hudson
river on a steamboat to visit his old friend,
Chancellor Livingston, at Clermont. On the
reception and entertainment committee Rhine-

1 2 Historic Old Hhinebeck

beck was represented by Gov. Morgan Lewis?
Gen. John Armstrong", Thomas Tillotson,
Freeborn Garrettson, Peter R. Livingston
and Dr. David Tomlinson. On the trip up the
river, when the boat reached the residence of
Gov. Lewis, a stop was made and the party
landed. The booming- of cannon and an
enthusiastic multitude welcomed them into
"ye olde town." The party marched to the
Lewis mansion, where a sumptuous collation
was served. In the afternoon the party-
returned to the boat and proceeded up the
river to the Livingston manor house, the
residence of Chancellor Livingston. A set-
tlement east of the village was named
"La Fayette" in honor of this event.

POLITICS

Political feeling' was always strong* in "ye
olde town." From the days of the federal-
ists and republicans of early times to the
present day, ardent supporters of rival faith
could be found to do strenuous battle for their
respective sides. Feeling was so bitter as
early as 1800 that Dominie Romeyn, of the
oJd Dutch church, then refused to give the
name of Thomas Jefferson to a child in bap-
tism, but persisted in naming it John, giving
as his reason that Jefferson was an infidel.

Why and Wherefore 243

John Adams was a federalist, and the candi-
date opposed to Jefferson for the presidency.
The dominie' was a federalist. In religion
Adams was a Unitarian, which was only a
degree removed from infidelity in the domi-
nie's religious belief. It must have been pol-
itics and not religion that substituted the
name of John for Thomas on this occasion.
In the stirring log cabin and hard-cider cam-
paign of 1840, when " Tippecanoe and Tyler
too" swept the country, a sad event occurred
on the flatts by a premature discharge of a
cannon called " Old Tip." Henry Hogan and
"Jack," a colored boy working for Barnet
Wager, were killed, and Mose}7 Miner lost his
arm. In 1855 the "queer election " occurred.
It was for town officers. Lewis Livingston
headed the democratic ticket for supervisor
and George Lorillard the republican. A
dark lantern, or native American, candidate
appeared the evening before election in the
person of Richard R. Sylands. He defeated
both of his opponents. On many occasions
the town election has been very close. Some-
times one side and then the other would win.
Fortunately the town has had good officials
regardless of party. As a matter of fact pol-
itics have cut little, if any, figure in the hand-
ling of town affairs.

244 Historic Old Rhinebeck

During* the past five years Mandeville S.
Frost, a democrat, was supervisor (1903-5),
to be succeeded by John A. Traver, a repub-
lican, in 1905. Mr. Frost was again elected
in 1907, and is now in office. Jacob H. Pot-
tenburgh, the town clerk, a republican, has
held that office continuously since 1877. The
right man in the right place. In addition to
officials mentioned elsewhere, in 1856 William
Kelly was elected State senator. David Tom-
linson was a member of Assembly in 1819 ;
John Cox in 1822 ; Peter K. Livingston, 1823 ;
John Armstrong, Jr., 1825 ; Francis A. Liv-
ingston, 1828 ; George Lambert, 1833 ; Free-
born Garrettson, 1835-45 ; Ambrose Wager,
1855-8 ; Richard J. Garrettson, 1860 ; John
N. Cramer, 1864; Alfred T. Ackert, 1868;
John O'Brien, 1882; William A. Tripp,
1898-9-1900. Rhinebeck has had two sheriffs,
Allen H. Hoffman, 1901-3, and James H.
Kipp, 1904-6. It has also had other county
officers.

CHAPTER XI

TAVERNS

"" The days are short, the weather's cold,
By tavern fires tales are told.
Some ask for dram when first come in,
Others with flip and bounce begin."

N. E. Almanac, 1704.

THE list of those who have been tavern-
keepers in "ye olde town " is a long- one.
The landlord of colonial days may not have
been the greatest man in the locality, but he
was generally the best known, and as a rule
the most popular. He made many acquaint-
ances. Travelers especially remembered him,
and if he was of the right sort did not fail to
pay tribute to his worth. The first tavern
was Traphagen's. It was the predecessor of
the present "old hotel." Then there was
Monfort's, Moul's, Kip's, Bonesteel's, Mar-
quart's, Wilson's, and others, all in operation
prior to 1800. In fact, the farmhouse upon
" a publick road " was from necessity a tavern
at which casual travelers could "put up" and
be treated as members of the family. On the
flatts there were seven or eight so-called
taverns. The Bowery had two, the residence
245

g'46

Historic old RhinebecJc

of the late Stephen and James C. McCarty
being- one before they owned it, and the

ft

S

«s

0

w

Vi £
o oo

.2 o

Brinckerhoff-Pultz, later called the Bowery
house, the other. At these taverns the hun-

Taverns 247

gry, thirst3T and worn traveler found rest,
comfort, shelter, good suppers and wine.

In the Traphagen and Kip taverns of 1709
the "betste" was an important part of the
main room. The word "betste" meant bed-
stead, but that is as near as it came to the
real article known by that name now. It was
constructed like a cupboard in the partition,
and made a door, closed wmen unoccupied,
so that one sleeping- apartment of an inn
could accommodate several travelers with
sleeping accommodations, and yet, in the day-
time, the room would answer for a public
room, and afford a neat and unencumbered
appearance. In houses of more humble pre-
tensions, the "slaap-banck," or "bunk," of
modern parlance, was the place to sleep trav-
elers. The sleeping-car is on this plan.

It was the business of the good vrow of her
maid to show up the traveler, and open the
<loor in the smooth partition and make the
bed to receive his weary limbs for the night.
Otherwise he might not be able to discover
his bunk. After he crept into it, she came
back again to blow out the candle, and in
the morning to draw the curtains of the win-
dows at the hour he fixed to rise. There was
generally one room in which all the guests
were received, and where there was a pleasant

248 Historic Old Rhinebeck

reunion in the evening, and all the visitors
ate, drank and smoked. It had in one corner
a closet, which when opened (and, honestly,
it was not unfrequently opened), disclosed
sundry decanters, glasses and black bottles;
and on one side of the room a rack in which
were suspended by their bowls a score or two
of very long pipes, each one inscribed with
the name of a neighbor, its owner. This was
the room of Mynheer the landlord, who found
all his occupation here in attending to the
pleasure of his guests. He had no care
beyond this ; mevrow was the head of the
house ; she attended to all the wants of the
guests, and gave them the information which
they might desire. She was always on the
spot as when, with a " tvel te rusten," like a
good mother, she bade one good-night, and
when, with a "hoo-y-reis" like an old friend,
she bade him good-by.

Saturday evenings from over- the town men
came to the nearest tavern to hear the news.
Monfort's on the south end, Marquart's in
V\ iii-iemburgh, Moul's at Kirchehoek, Kip's
in Kipsbergen, the "old hotel7' on the flatts,
found goodly numbers discussing politics,
theology and the crops; playing checkers,
dominoes and cards; telling stories in the
capacious tap-rooms around a cheerful blazing

Taverns 249

fire on a winter's night, whiling away the
time with mugs of flip and malted cider. In
the days of Potter, farmers brought pork,
poultry, butter, eggs, grain, and other prod-
ucts for him to market for them. The tap-
room was an important part of tavern equip-
ment. In tbe "old hotel" it was in the
northeast room. The bar was an enclosed
nook in the corner beyond the chimney. A
short counter, with grill work above, a closet
and shelves behind and shelves underneath,
made the bar. It was entered on the lower
side; a narrow passage was left for the pur-
pose; it had a wooden portcullis, raised or
lowered as required. Quoit-pitching, run-
ning, wrestling and shooting- matches were
common. The dining-room and kitchen were
in the rear of the tap-room. The guests'
chambers on the upper floor. This portion of*
the "old hotel " is practically the same to-day,
that is the old stone part, as it was when
Traphagen built it.

The tavern has ever played an important
part in social, political and business life. It
has helped make history. The story of one is
that of many. To-day the "old hotel" is a
monument to the past. It is the pride of
the townspeople. It is well located. The
builder, following1 the good old Dutch custom.

250

Historic Old Rhinebeck

put a gable-end to the road which then ran
within a few feet of the north side of the stone

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part of the structure. The Sepasco road turned
in front, and on the east side formed the high-

Taverns 251

way, and continued south to the church, and
then east to the interior. What is now the
frame portion on the north end was erected
later by Asa Potter for a store ; the Sepasco
road had been straightened and extended east
by the Ulster and Saulsbury Turnpike Com-
pany. This was about 1802. We assume
that it was Arent Traphagen, a grandson of
William of 1706, who erected the stone tavern.
His grandfather, William, died in 1740, about
sixty-nine years of age. Arent followed his
trade as an artificer. He was skillful as a
builder. He erected many houses. He died
about 1769, aged forty-one years. In the
division of his grandfather's property in 1741
that portion where the tavern stands fell to
his father. We find the Traphagen tavern
on the river road as early as 1709 in a stone
house which in later years was called the
" old state prison." It was kept by the grand-
father and father of Arent for many years.
It was the first tavern on the flatts. The
river road, as early as 1749, from the mills
to the Beekman, now Heermance house,
near the Slate dock, was a road district, and
Isaac Kip was the roadmaster. Beekman's
mills, on the flatts, was the attractive point
towards which gravitated locally the main
avenues of travel. In 1766, where the "old

Historic Old Rhinebeck

hotel'' now stands, Arent found an ideal spot
for a tavern. He grasped the idea. Travel
on the highway, and also on the river road,
was increasing-. During- most of the year the
journey from New York to Albany was made
over this road.

Even during- the summer months this road
competed with the river. Travel was on
horseback. When the river was closed the
road was the only avenue of travel. The
transportation of freight and passeng-ers was
an absolute necessity at all seasons of the
year, hence taverns along- a traveled route
were plenty and, according- to their merits,
prosperous. The first old Traphag*en tavern
was not well located. In 1766 the younger
Arent concluded to erect what is now the " old
hotel.'" He had no difficulty in obtaining- on
his land the timber, stone and lime needed for
the structure. The timber was well selected,
cut and dressed, the stones quarried, the lime
burned and the bricks baked all on his own
g-lebe. The blacksmith near the mill made
the spikes and nails required. The saw mill
turned the trees into boards for flooring*, trim-
ming*, etc., and there were enough skillful
mechanics in the neighborhood to do the rest.
The tavern was certainly substantially built.
It still stands a well-preserved edifice, an

Taverns 253

enduring monument to the builder. It is all
that remains to recall the name of Traphagen.
It has always been a tavern. It has a great
history — authentic, legendary, traditional.
When completed, which was before 1767, it
was opened by Arent Traphagen, the builder,
and at once became a favorite and popular
resort for travelers. It served as the stage-
house for the locality in 1788. Large stables
were erected to accommodate the relay of
horses, changed here before again starting in
either direction. It gained, and undoubtedly
deserved, great reputation because of its
bountiful table and the well-cooked food sup-
plied to guests. This reputation it has never
lost. About 1765 a spring on the roadside
made the well which for a century and a half
thereafter was famous as the "town pump."
(See pages 93-4-5.)

The tavern continued under Arent's man-
agement until his death in 1769, when Eve-
rardus Bogardus became the innkeeper. He
came into the town as a merchant prior to
1769 with Dr. Hans Keirstead, and both
became active in the upbuilding of the local-
ity. He purchased the "old hotel" property
from the heirs of Traphagen. He was a
great grandson of the "Dominie" Bogardus
who figured in the early history of New York,

254 Historic Old Rkinebeck

and who was the second husband of the famed
" Anneke Jans." He was assisted at the
tavern by his son Benjamin, who succeeded
him at his death, which occurred in 1799. He
was the innkeeper during- the Revolutionary
war, and the " Bogardus tavern" was the
headquarters of the patriots of the locality, a
large number of whom entered the continen-
tal army. A company, with Henry B. Liv-
ingston as captain, was raised as early as
1775 in the town, and it drilled and camped on
the Bogardus lot near the tavern. Other
companies followed. The Livingstons, Schuy-
ler s, Montgomery s, Armstrongs and other
leading' families of this section were promin-
ently and actively identified with the patriots
of the colonies in their struggle for liberty.
They were leaders. Dr. Ananias Cooper, an
aged physician, was a trusted local leader and
worker, ever on the spot ready to help the
cause. At this tavern friends met from far
and near, frequently during1 the war, to plan
and counsel, and devise ways and means to
defeat the King- and free the colonies from
British rule. Very few tories lived in this
section, none that were active or troublesome.
It was not a healthy section for them. It
would be impossible to name all of the distin-
guished men who, during the revolutionary

Taverns 255

period, passed to and i'ro over the post road,
and made the Bogardus tavern a resting-
place. Washing-ton, La Fayette, Hamilton,
Burr, Schuyler, Gates, Arnold and others
were surely among the number. Stop with
Bogardus ; consult Dr. Cooper, were the direc-
tions given trusted messengers. It would be
hard to find the name of aiw one prominent
in revolutionary or State annals prior to 1802
who journeyed between New York and Albany
over the post road who did not make the
Bogardus tavern a place to bide for refresh-
ment and rest. Here they were sure of a
cordial welcome and courteous treatment.
The Bog-ardus era was historical. The "old
hotel " deserves a tablet from the Sons and
Daughters of the Revolution. Asa Potter
purchased this tavern from the son, Benjamin
Bog-ardus, in 1802. He was then a resident on
the flatts and a successful merchant as well
as tavernkeeper. The historic house grew in
favor. A Masonic lodge held its meetings
occasionally on the top floor. Gov. Lewis and
other leading citizens were Masons. Potter
wanted room for a store, and he built a frame
one-story annex for it on the north end. The
turnpike company had straightened the old
Sepasco or river road, extending what is now
Market street east, and making: it connect

Historic Old Rhinebeck

again with the Sepasco road. It then became
a turnpike from the river to the " Still" and
east. At the "old hotel" the turnpike and
post road made "the corner," as it came to
be and is still known. On the southwest cor-
ner the tavern and store held sway. Potter
died in 1805. He had been prosperous, and at
his death left a considerable estate. The
death of Potter brought Capt. William
Jacques and his family to the tavern. The
time was opportune. Rhinebeck was forging"
ahead. Its population was 3,662 by the cen-
sus of 1790. This was the precinct. The
tavern was its centre, ready and waiting for
the right man. He was found in Capt.
Jacques. From the start a model tavern-
keeper, he made the "old hotel" jump to the
foreground as a hostelry. From local repute
of long standing its name and fame as
"Jacques' tavern" spread far and near. To
stop with Capt. Jacques was an event in the
life of a traveler. The guest chambers were
never empty. In early life Jacques had been
captain of a river sloop. His boating experi-
ence proved a valuable asset. He was tall,
broad, muscular and had a commanding pres-
ence. His force of character was great ; his
will power strong-; his speech sharp and deci-
sive : his manner genial : his action quick and

Taverns 257

positive. His physical powers were large ; he
could lift a heavy barrel of cider by the chimes
and carry it into the cellar. He deserved and
received respect from all. He admirably filled
the very difficult position of tavernkeeper dur-
ing- stirring- and trying- times and until fail-
ing* health forced him to retire. He was for
more than a quarter of a century in the har-
ness. This, too, during- an eventful period in
the history of the State and nation. The sec-
ond war with Great Britain was fought.
Rhinebeck sons did their duty in this war.
The Schells, De Lamaters, Platts, were then
on the flatts. Martin Van Buren became the
"Sage of Kinderhook," filled many State
offices up to governor; then United States
senator, minister, vice-president, and finally
reached the goal, the presidency. He and
his political friends were frequent guests of
Jacques. The "old hotel" was a rendezvous
for politicians. By the way of Rhinebeck
his trusted followers easily reached him.
Peter R. Livingston of "Grasmere" was
also a leader of note. He had a national rep-
utation. He was at the tavern almost daily.
It was a headquarters for his friends. Gen.
Armstrong lived there for a time. This period
was the heyday of the road traveler, horse-
back rider, the stage coach and the post road.

258 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Rhinebeck village was a thriving- and grow-
ing community. The tavern was a powerful
magnet. The "White Corner" was built.

The frame annex to the hotel was rebuilt
first for an enlarged store, but soon after-
wards, because of increasing business, it was
used for hotel purposes. The "old hotel"
kept pace with the times. "Aunt Polly"
(Mrs. Jacques), assisted by her handsome
daughters, was queen of the establishment;
her son, Benjamin, was clerk ; " Dinah " ruled
the kitchen, and black Joe looked after the
stables. The equipment was perfect in every
detail. Rhinebeck, soon after the advent of
the steamboat, became an important market
town. Two barges made weekly trips to New
York city. Market day drew crowds to the
village ; its trade drained the northern and
eastern sections of the county. Jacques'
tavern was the headquarters of drovers^
traders, buyers and sellers for many years.

As usual death made inevitable changes.
The captain and his son, Benjamin, died.
In 1837 Jacob H. Tremper became the land-
lord, with " Wash " Nichols, clerk. Tremper
became better known afterwards as "Capt.
Jake " of the Romer & Tremper Steamboat
Company of Rondout. He was popular and
successful in the "old hotel," but preferred

Taverns 259

steamboating. In 1840 he was succeeded by
Robert T. Seymour, son-in-law of the well-
remembered Capt. and Mrs. Jacques. "Bob"
was his sobriquet. A genial, popular, whole-
souled man, he knew how to run a hotel, and
for fourteen years he did it. It was a jolly
place during- this period. Dr. Lorillard,
" Billy " James, " Mose " Conger, " Lew "
Teal, "Cris" Darling- and a host of other
congenial and convivial spirits made it a
pleasant resort, and under the eye of the ever-
present "Bob," good-natured sport was not
lacking- to drive away dull care. A thriving
village had come on the flatts. The Mexican
war, the California gold fever, the hard-cider
and Tippecanoe tight of 1840, the Clay-Polk
battle in 1844, and the free-soil campaign of
1848 were exciting- events, and the " old
hotel " witnessed many notable gatherings
of the clans. The big men of the times vis-
ited Rhine beck, and the people were always
interested and never one-sided on public ques-
tions.

Until May 1, 1848, the property had been
owned by Elisha R. Potter of Kingston,
Rhode Island. He sold it to Garret Van
Keuren, Henry De Lamater and William B.
Piatt. Three families, Traphagen, Bogardus,
Potter, owned it prior to .1848. Gen. John A.

260 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Quitman, a Rhinebecker by birth, was a Mex-
ican war hero, and the town furnished a dozen
or more forty-niners. Seymour determined
to "go west" ; in 1853 the tavern had a new
landlord, Oliver V. Doty, who remained for
two years. He was followed by David F.
Sipperly, a brother-in-law of Martin L. Mar-
quart, who had purchased the hotel property.
Marquart built the building- now owned and
occupied by William E. Luff, on the hotel lot.
Edward Pultz followed Sipperly. Then came
Hunting- Germond. Short stays seemed to be
the rule from 1853 to 1860.

Then another never-to-be-forgotten, ever-
memorable period in the nation's history was
reached. Burnett M. Conklin and his father-
in-law, Lansing- T. Mosher, a tavernkeeper
from Milan, in 1860, succeeded Germond. The
Lincoln-Douglas canvas of that year stirred
the old town as never before, and brought to
the front two of the town's most prominent
citizens : Hon. William Kelly of Eilerslie, who
became the Douglas candidate for governor,
and Hon. Ambrose Wager, who was named
on the same ticket for Congress. Worthy,
deserving men, with hosts of supporters.
Partizans joined the "Little Giants" or
" Wide- A wakes," according to their political
faith, and a battle royal was waged daily

Taverns 261

until election. The " old hotel " was, per
force, neutral ground, and for weeks prior to
election day was filled with visiting- citizens
from the north, south, east and west. Cir-
cumstances made it a storm centre. Excite-
ment ran high in town, county, State and
nation, and did not wane when the result was
known, for then the dark cloud of Civil war
commenced to spread, and as the "old hotel "
completed' a century of existence, the country
was engulfed in bloody conflict, and Rhine-
beck boys went forth to do battle for the
integrity of the Union and the defence of the
flag of our country.

In 1862-4 James N. McElroy was the land-
lord. He was followed by Griffin Hoffman,
who had been a successful farmer, and was
possessed of some means. He made extensive
improvements ; placed lawns, flower beds and
walks in front ; planted trees, using what had
been the road in earlier times for the purpose,
giving- the entrance a yard appearance. He
reconstructed the building, making- sleep-
ing rooms on the upper floor. He sold to
the town the plot on the south where the
town hall now stands. He remained until
1873. During his occupancy the Greeley-
Whitehouse campaign of 1872 made exciting
times in the town and about the hotel. The

202 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Whitehouse-Ketchara contest will be long-
remembered. In 1883 the Tremper brothers
came. For ten years they ran an acceptable
house, but were unsuccessful in the latter
part of the term.

Griffin Hoffman, the owner, returned for
a short period, followed by the well-liked
Lorenzo Decker, an experienced hotelkeeper.
While he was in charge, in 1888, the Har-
rison-Morton campaign gave Rhinebeck a
boom. Levi. P. Morton, a resident, was the
candidate for vice-president. He was then
living at "Bois Dore," a few yards from the
"old hotel." When notified of his nomina-
tion Gen. Harrison was with him, and the
"old hotel" was filled as never before with
representative men from all parts of the
country. Harrison and Morton were elected^
and for four years the second office, in rank,
was ably filled by a Rhinebecker. In 1894
Mr. Morton, who then resided at Ellerslie, was
nominated and elected governor of the State,
and again "ye olde town" was crowded with
statesmen of more or less prominence both
before and after the election. Most of them
were entertained at the "old hotel." Gov.
Morton made an ideal executive, and was the
choice of his State in 1896 for the presidency.
The name of Morton is cherished by those

Taverns 203

who love "ye olcle town/' as that of its first
citizen. The good he and his family have
unostentatiously done will live after them.

Mr. Decker remained until 1891, when he
opened the "Rhinebeck Inn/' on Livingston
street, in the building- formerly the " De
Garmo Institute/' Edward Lasher took
charge of the hotel, and remained until 1893 ;
then E. M. Vanderburgh had it for a short
time, until Vernon D. Lake took possession in
1894. Mr. Lake was a popular host. Under
his supervision the "old hotel" prospered.
Modern improvements were introduced, and
up-to-date methods employed in the manage-
ment. Automobiles came in vogue. Parties
adopting this mode of travel kept the "old
hotel " filled with livery and merry guests.
Good beds, good meals, good service at
Lake's assured a full house. Ill health forced
Mr. Lake to retire, and in 1906 Halleck Welles
tried his hand, followed by the present genial
proprietor, Arthur Shuffle, in 1907.

CHAPTER XII

THE VILLAGE

" How often have I paused on every charm —
The shelter'd cot, the cultivated farm,
The never-failing brook, the busy mill,
The decent church that topp'd the neighboring hill/7

Goldsmith.

WILLIAM TRAPHAGEN is responsible
for the location of the village. The
Kings highway made it possible. Traphagen
had purchased, in 1706, of Judge Beekman,
all the land west of this highway, bounded
north, south and west by the two creeks. In
1709 he erected the first house in the present
village, near the intersection of the Sepasco
road to the river, with the highway. (See
page 246.) Traphagen was a mechanic, but
circumstances soon made him a tavernkeeper.
The two thoroughfares of the times forced
travelers to his abode. He had to provide for
their wants. Food, shelter and drink were
necessaries. He could and did furnish them.
This condition continued for many years. A
village grew near his tavern. The blacksmith,
the shoemaker, the tailor, the waggoner,
and the handicraftsmen generally, found the
264

The Village 265

localit}^ convenient for their trades. By 1720
"the flatts," as he called his purchase, had
developed in a marked degree. Traphagen had
erected a mill for Col. Henry Beekman, beside
the highway, on the north bank of Landsman
kill, below the Sepasco road, and at the foot
of Mill hill. William Schut was the miller.
Traphagen opened a wheelwright and black-
smith shop adjacent to his tavern. He did
jobbing and building. He was handy and
skillful as an artisan.

The farmers wanted many things that he
could make or get for them. His tavern and
shop became popular. The first, because the
hungry and thirsty found shelter and comfort
there with plenty to eat and drink ; and the
latter because required repairs were promptly
and properly made, odd jobs done and needed
supplies furnished to order. On Saturday
evenings the burghers and farmers of the
vicinity came to the tavern to gossip and
fraternize. Traphagen accepted pork, butter,
eggs, poultry, potatoes, grain or other eat-
able commodities in exchange for work and
wares. He knew a thing or two. He pros-
pered.

Prior to 1730 a minister of the Dutch Re-
formed church frequently held services on
Sunday in his tavern. Traphagen was a

2 66 Historic Oh J Ehinebeck

member of that church. Conditions continued
to improve on the flatts, and in 1730 it was
decided to have a church. Laurens Osterhout,
Jacob Kip and William Traphag-en, for them-
selves, and " the rest of the inhabitants of the
North Ward in Dutchess County/' obtained a
deed of gift of forty-six and one-half acres of
land from Col. Henry Beekman for church
purposes. (See pages 125-7.) The land is
now covered with houses on the easterly end
of the village, and is known as the church
land. The occupants pay rent to the church.

The church was erected soon after under
Traphagen's supervision. It was on the site
of the present "Old Dutch church." Simon
(Kool) Cole was the first merchant in the
present town. He was a grandson of William
Traphagen. His father's name was Isaac
Kool, his mother's Geesje Traphagen. His
parents succeeded Traphag-en as tavernkeep-
ers in 1740, when he died, and on June 25,
1741, Geesje's brothers, Arent and William,
deeded to her the "home lot" on which the
tavern stood. They continued the wheel-
wright and smithery business of their father.
They had assisted him in tavern and shop for
many years.

William Schut's house was a small frame
affair neat' the east end of the pond lot. This

The Village 2GT

lot contained about twenty acres of land, and
was the miller's grange. He cleared and
worked it. Bounded by the Kings highway
on the west, the Sepasco road on the north,
the church lands on the east, and the kill and
pond on the south, it was compact. The
"pond lot," as it was named, served for many
years as the village park. Circuses and tent
shows used it. On general training days it
was the drilling- ground. Games and sports
were enjoyed there by "the boys" and spec-
tators. It is now covered with attractive
homes, but the memory of the old pond lot
still lingers.

The Schut house was removed, after the
revolution, across Sepasco road to the lot
opposite. When Centre street was opened it
faced on that street. It was used at one time
for a school, then a store, and it is remem-
bered by this writer as the abode, fifty years
or so ago, of one William (Billy) Porter, an
eccentric character of the town. It was finally
torn down, and Cornelius A. Rynders erected
a dwelling near its site, which is there now.
A stone house was erected about 1735 for the
miller on the side hill above the mill. This
was removed about 1880 by Lewis Asher.

A man named Wibling succeeded Schut as
miller. He and his wife, Sarah, lived in the

2G8 Historic Old Ehinebeck

miller's house. Here Col. Beekman met and
transacted business with his tenants.

The mill was the depot of cereal deposit for
a large section of country. The tenants on
the farms paid their rent in wheat for a long"
time at the mill. Col. Beekman often fur-
nished horses, cattle, swine and sheep ; also
necessary tools, seeds, plows and other imple-
ments for farming-, and took his pay in farm
products.

The following- copy receipt furnished this
writer in 1870 by Henry Latson is interesting.
It was made at the mill. Mrs. Wibling was
the wife of the miller.

" Dutchess County, May 25, 1738. This day made up
accounts Between Col. Henry Beekman And Peter
Dinel And Ballanced By me.

Sarah Wibling.

To a bottle wine 2 sh after making up accounts."

At this time we find many farmers around
the flatts. Tunis Pier had a farm east of the
church land and south of the kill. His first
house wTas a square pit dug in the ground,
cellar fashion, six or seven feet deep, about
twenty-five feet long, and ten or twelve feet
wide. The entrance was made on the south
side or end. This pit was cased with logs to
prevent caving in. A sort of mud mortar
made the sidewalls. Whitewash improved

The Village 269

them. Planks were used for flooring-, wains-
coting and ceiling*. Openings in the gables let
in light and air. Spars made the roof. These
were covered with bark and sod. Partitions
divided this room into two or more apart-
ments. We are told that such structures
were warm and dry, and could be adapted to
any sized family. Many houses of this kind
were built in the town by the earhy comers.
They disappeared in a generation.

In 1764 a son of Tunis Pier built a stone
house south of the kill. A stone, inscribed
"W. T. P., 1764," fixes this date. Another
son, Jan Pier, erected a stone house on the
Sepasco road before the revolution. This
house is now owned and occupied by Jacob L.
Tremper. There is a stone, inscribed "Jan
Pier, 1774," but there is reason to believe this
was placed in an addition to the first house
built several years earlier. This property, in
1790, was owned by Isaac Davis, who erected
a mill on it. In 1739 Christoffel Cramer
became the owner by purchase from Col.
Beekman, of the farm on the north side of
the Sepasco road, in recent years the property
of George F. Cookingham. He built a stone
house on it soon afterwards.

Johannes Benner's house was on the Kings
highway below Beek man's second mill, and

270 Historic Old K/tut check

was on land he leased of Col. Beekman in
1739. It was probably erected in 1740. In
recent years it was the property of Mrs. Ann
O'Brien. Benner's land included the Schell-
Clark property on the post road.

In 1730 lands on "the flatts " were laid out
by Garret Van Wag-en en for Coh Beekman,
described as being- "in Dutchess County, in
the North Ward, situated on the southwest-
erly side of a large plain near the river grist
mill of the said Henry Beekman." This cov-
ered the church site and farm ; present ceme-
tery grounds ; Grasmere land on both sides of
the Kings highway as far as Staatsburg-h. It
was for the "Low Dutchers " the land was
laid out. The tenants built houses near or con-
venient to Beekman's upper and lower mills.

The first four mills erected were of the
Traphag'en desig-n. An oblong* frame building*,
about 30x40, two stories in height. A peeked
roof and a larg-e overshot wheel on end gable.
Double doors in front on each floor and a
window on each side of the doors. Three
windows on sides on each floor. A block and
fall on the second floor front. Mechanics were
at hand to do required work.

Ananias Teel was a waggoner. A man
named Phillips," a cooper; Johannes Ber-
ringer, a seinemaker : Jury Shever, a shoe-

The Village 271

maker ; Laurens Teder, a mason ; Henry
Shop, a saddle and harnessmaker ; Jacob Van
Ostrander, a linen weaver ; J. Jury Cremer,
a tailor; Johannes Van Steenburgh, a gun-
smith ; Johan Christover Armburster, a tan-
ner; Jacobus Van Etten, a cordwainer; Wil-
liam Traphagen, Jr., a wheelwright ; Jacob
Drum, a blacksmith ; John Kip, a carpenter.

Where the town pump was located for over
a century was a spring. The ground was low
and wet. A small stream ran west from this
spring-, bearing south until near the black-
smith and wagonmakers' shops below, where
it turned south from the.Sepasco trail or
road leading to the river. This was the Trap-
hagen spring and brook. It emptied into
Landsman kill. The ground along its course
was low, springy and wet. The spring water
was pure and cool, and used for drinking by
the Indians and white men when near it.
Because of the low, web ground the highway
was laid out west of it. Traphagen, about
1712, made a stone wall around it to protect
it, and the low ground was gradually raised
by filling in until it was necessary to use a
bucket and sweep to lift the water. A log'
roughly hollowed out was placed near it for a
trough. For fifty years this was the " water
works" of the locality. About 1762 Arent

272 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Traphag*en, Jr., cleaned, deepened and re-
walled it and put in a suction pump of home
make. For over one hundred years it did
service on the Traphag-en plan.

The town pump described on pages 93-4-5

became the centre of a growing villagre before
the revolution. The tavern shown on page
250 : the red store on the east side of the high.-
way and Sepasco road, and its rival opposite
on the south ; the workshops along- the road

The Village 273

and highway ; the travel north, south, east
and west, focused around the pump, the busi-
ness of a prosperous and growing- settlement.
William Traphagen had planned well, but did
not live to see the result. His grandson,
Arent, Jr., the tavernkeeper, was there, and
must have viewed the outlook with pride.
Simon (Kool) Cole, a merchant, and the
wheelwright and blacksmith, were also his
grandsons. The flatts and the Traphagens
were gradually but surely' making a village.
In shape it formed the letter T, which stood
for Traphagen. The perpendicular was the
road to the river, the horizontal the Kings
highway, the pump the junction. Dr. Ana-
nias Cooper, north of the Hog bridge, and
Dr. Hans Kierstead, just starting, on the
flatts, were the physicians. Everardus Bo-
gardus, a storekeeper on the highway south
of the pump, became the tavernkeeper at
the "old hotel" in 1769.

This condition continued until and during
the Revolutionary war. William Traphagen,
Jr., and his brother-in-law, Isaac Kool, had
built the lower grist mill on the flatts in
1750, and Isaac Kool and his son, Simon, Jr.,
operated it. Dominie Van Voorhees was the
minister at the Dutch church. Col. Henry
Beekman was justice of the peace and law

274 Historic Old Rhinebeck

giver of the precinct until his death, in 1776.
He was succeeded by William Radcliffe. Wil-
liam Beam was the precinct clerk from 1766
to 1785. The story of this period has been
told in preceding- chapters. The next one
hundred years witnessed greater develop-
ment than the first hundred.

By 1790 the demand for more room for vil-
lage expansion led to the opening of a street
from the pump east to the church farm. The
extension through the flatts became Market
street. A map was made by John Cox, Jr.,
for Mrs. Gen. Montgomery, the owner, who
was then living at Grasmere. She lived, at
the time of the general's death in 1775, in a
house on the premises now occupied by Mrs.
A. F. Olmsted, on Montgomery street. This
house is still standing, having been moved in
1860 by Thomas Edgerley to upper Livingston
street. The timber and lumber in it would
build three or four houses of the same size
to-day.

Half way between the post road and the
church land a street running north from the
Sepasco road was opened. This came to be
called Centre street. The post road north of
Market street was given the name of Mont-
gomery street in honor of the general. South
it was called Mill street, because of the mills

The Village 275

at the foot of the hill. North of Market
street, and parallel with it, a street was made
on the Cox map running from the post road
east to the church land, which was later given
the name of Livingston.

The lots east of the pump on Market street
were about one acre each in size. The north-
east corner of the post and Sepasco roads was
the church lot. Further north was a square
lot which was purchased 03^ Koert and Henry
Du Bois. This made the Market street cor-
ner on the southeast. Further east another
square lot, purchased by Levi Jones, a nephew
of Mrs. Montgomery, made the southwest
corner of Market and Centre streets. On the
southeast corner of these streets Philip Bo-
gardus bought a square. Rutsen Suckley,
later, bought the one further east. On the
southwest corner of East Market and Centre
streets Alexander Baker erected, in 1845, the
" Baker building," which for many years was
occupied by Cyrus B. Morse as a factory. In
1861 the present brick building was erected
by Mr. Morse and called the "Union Iron
Works." It became a busy corner. For sev-
eral years a large number of men were em-
ployed there. The spinning machinery for the
new Harmony mills at Cohoes, in which Mr.
Alfred Wild, then a resident of the town, was

276 Historic Old Rhinebeck

interested, was made by Mr. Morse, and at
that time over one hundred and fifty men
were employed. Machine work in all forms,
and an iron, steel and brass foundry kept the
men busy. In 1875, Capt. J. H. Baldwin
bought the property, and engaged in the man-
ufacture of the "Little Monitor" sewing ma-
chine with a man named Du Laney. The
venture was a failure. Frank Herrick then
became its owner, and it is now occupied by
T. J. Herrick, who conducts a flour, feed and
lumber business there. John N. Cramer had
a lumber yard west of it for many years.

Returning to the pump, on the northeast
corner, John T. Schryver and Tunis Conklin
bought a lot which included the "red store."
Next, east, a lot was bought by Gen. Arm-
strong. Adjoining him Asa Potter bought a
lot. Next, Frederick Kline bought one. On
the north side of Market street, east of the
post road, the lots were half a square in
width and two squares in depth. The red
building on the corner was a store and post-
office in 1790, when the first census was taken.
Asa Potter built a house on his lot, which
later was the residence of Abraham Adriance,
Koert Du Bois, Henry F. Talmage, Richard
H. Ruggles, Mrs. Caroline Davison, and was
finally purchased by Dr. Isaac F. Van Vliet.

JOHN G. O STROM

WILLIAM CARROLL

CONRAD MARQUARDT

CYRUS B. MORSE

JOHN N. CRAMER

SMITH QUICK

The Village 277

He rebuilt the old house making" the building-
no w there. East of it, and on a part of the
Potter lot, after its purchase by Mrs. Davi-
son, the dwellings, called "Livingston Row,"
were erected by Peter R. Livingston, he bu}'-
ing* the land of her for the purpose. In the
west end William Luff had his printing office,
and the Gazette was printed there until 1871.
On the Kline lot a store and dwelling were
erected . H . & E . Hi! 1 carried on busin ess there
for many years. Nicholas Drury lived next
door, and Jacob Schaad had his livery and resi-
dence there afterwards. Calvin Rikert is now
there. All of the acre lots were subdivided,
and the divisions have had several owners
during the one hundred and twenty years
that have passed.

The Du Bois brothers had a store on their
lot as early as 1800. A man named Spauld-
ing had a tailor shop next to the Schry ver and
Oonklin's corner opposite. Miner W. Sprague
afterwards had a shoe store there ; George
W. Hogan a cigar store. Further east Peter
Brown and Christian Schell had a store where
Louis Rosencrans is now located. Henry W.
Mink, Peters G. and Peter R. Quick, Monfort
and Westfall also kept store there. Nicholas
Drury had his barber shop on these premises.
Nathan W. H. Judson had his well-remem-

278 Historic Old Rhinebeck

bered tin and hardware store where Hamlin
is now located. William Williams built the
store now occupied by Williams & Traver.
Adjoining-, Ira Kellogg had a hat store.
The old landmark, Piatt 8c Nelson's drug-
store and office, was next door to Judson's.
This was the sanctum of village oracles.

On the Du Bois square, John Fowkes, Chris-
tian Schell, John Davis, William J. Styles,
Peter Barnes, Henry and James Hoag,
George Schryver, John Benner, Alexander
Baker, Marshall E. A. Gear, James W. Jen-
nings, Georg-e E, Ring, Stephen Jennings,,
Cyrus B. Morse, Moses Ring-, Georg-e Fellows,
John Drury, Alfred Drury, Edward Soper,
John A. Bailey, Manson Pultz, William
Peters, George E. Storm, John A. Van
Steenberg-h, Carroll & Curtis, William Bates
& Sons, M. L. Marquart, Nelson Nichols
and others had carried on business. Some
of them until the "big- fire," which occurred
on Sunday morning, the ,8th day of May,
1864. This fire made homeless many fami-
lies, as well as destroying one-half of the
business section of the village. It caused
a reconstruction of the "corner." Brick, stone
and iron were thence used for building. The
accompaning picture shows the fire burning
at sunrise on that eventful morning in May.

280 Historic Old Rhinebeck

On the ruins made by this destructive fire
substantial brick structures soon appeared.
The Styles' stores and dwelling- on Mill street.
The Vonderlinden building- on the corner.
The Latson, Van Steenbergh, Carroll, Bates
and Marquart building's on East Market
street. Enterprising- merchants occupied
them. George E. Ring-, succeeded by Kill-
mer & Slauson; then Sherwood had a gro-
cery ; Isaac F. Collins & Son, a dry goods
store in the Latson, with a dressmaking- and
millinery parlor, and a printing office on the
second floor, and the Masonic hall on the
third. Van Steenbergh had his harness shop,
and Barton & Williams a grocery, on his first
floor, with dwelling's above. Carroll had his
large furniture and undertaking business,
with Ackert's shoe and hat store ; Edward
Brooks, merchant tailor, and a dentist's par-
lors and offices upstairs.

Bates & Sons' building had their drygoods
store ; Marquart's was occupied by Charles L.
Morse, and then his successor, Dr. B. N. Baker,
as a drugstore, with the Odd Fellows' hall on
the upper floor, and a dwelling on the second.

On the west side of the post road, north of
the pump, was William Barnes' shoe shop,
Butler & Bartholomew's market, then Crap-
ser & Pells, John I. Smith's tailor shop,

The Village 281

Schoonmaker & Heermance's carriage fac-
tory. Opposite were dwellings. Tammany
Hall was above what is now Chestnut street.
On page 90 an error is made in calling this
street Livingston. Mr. Judson erected i ' Tem-
perance hall " north of the red store.

West of the pump John T. McCarty had a
workshop and tinware store; John G. Os-
trom a carriage works ; Robert D. Hevenor
a blacksmith shop ; Edward Holdridge a
paint shop ; William Bates a tinner's shop.
Conrad Uhl, Henry C. Teal, John Hyslop,
Joshua Traver, Bartholomew and Alonzo
Noxon, expert mechanics, were located here.
This was the old village beehive. Garden
street, then a road, was filled with stage
barns. Marquardt's bakery was on the cor-
ner. A stage house adjoined it on the east,
the Blue Bird line. Dr. Nelson's residence
was below. William J. Stewart's on the Oak
street corner. On the hill Barnet Wager
followed Dr. Kiersted about 1836, and his son
Ambrose and his grandson, Ambrose Lee,
have continued in occupation since. On the
north side of the road the Tellers have held
sway for a century. Further west, Capt. Na-
than Darling lived. At the toll-gate below
the hill George Hagadorn was gatekeeper
until the gate was removed. (See page 7G.)

282 Historic Old Bhinebeck

On the "red store " corner, John T. Schry-
ver, Tunis Conklin, William Teller, Benjamin
Schultz, John A. Drum, Henry De Lamater,
Freeman Jennings, John M. Sandford, Wil-
liam Bates, Simon Welch, were merchants
from early times down to its rebuilding' by
Charles R. Pultz, the successor of the old
firm of Thompson & Pultz. It is now occu-
pied by Harry Smilie and James Mulrein,
plumbers, dealers in hardware, builders' sup-
plies, etc. A busy corner.

The store annex of the "old hotel " had for
occupants Asa Potter, Henry F. Talmage,
Smith Dunning-, John G. Ostrom, Isaac F.
Russell, George Bard and William Bates,
merchants who sold dryg-oods, groceries, etc.

Then Christian Schell built the renowned
"White Corner." Here Aug-ustus and Rich-
ard Schell were initiated in the political mys-
teries of the day, having- for their instructors
the redoubtable "Little Mag-ician," the sage
of Kinderhook, Martin Van Buren, and his
friend and pupil, Samuel J. Tilden. They
were apt students. Their political career is
part of the history of the State. This store
soon became the business forum of "yeolde
town." Henry De Lamater and William B.
Piatt, starting- as clerks, succeeded Schell as
merchants. The postoffice was in this store

EGBERT BENSON COL, P. J. SCHUYLER

JACOB RADCLIFFE ROBERT SCHELL

LEVI P. MORTON. CQL. JOHN JACOB ASTOR

The Village 283

for years. It was also the village bank, hav-
ing- connection with a Poughkeepsie bank. De
Lamater and Piatt were looked upon as pru-
dent, careful, reliable men in the conduct of
business affairs. Their advice was constantly
sought by farmers and mechanics from far
and near. Dr. Martin Freleigh had his office
in the west end of the building. Succeeding
Mr. Piatt came Alfred Drury, then Drury &
Cramer, James C. Hamlin and Andrew Grube.
On the west end the bank was located for sev-
eral years. The "white corner" was a lead-
ing factor in town, village and county affairs.
On the north was a frame annex used for
many purposes. West was the Teller store,
for many years kept by William S. Cowles
& Company ; later by David E. Ackert ;
now by Mrs. Gaul.

The act incorporating the village was
passed in 1834 and amended in 1867. The
first election under it was held on the 2Gth of
May, 1834, and the officers elected were as
follows : Trustees, Eliphalet Piatt, Peter
Pultz, John Drury, John I. Smith, John T.
Schryver, Jacob Heermance, John Jennings;
assessors, John A. Drum, Theophilus Nelson,
Stephen McCarty ; treasurer, Nicholas Drury.
On the 17th of June following, John T. Schry-
ver was elected president of the board of

284 Historic Old Rhinebeck

trustees, and Nicholas V. Schryver, secretary.
The president appointed John Drury, John
Jennings and Peter Pultz a committee to
ascertain and report the extent of sidewalks
necessary to be flagged ; John I. Smith, John
Drury and John Jennings a committee on fire,
and Eliphalet Piatt, John Drury and Jacob
Heermance a committee on nuisances.

For seventy-five years the village has been
well officered and managed under its charter.
Elections are held annually. Appropriations
for expenses are limited, and must be voted
by the taxpayers. For benefits obtained the
taxes are small. The village tells the story
of its development. Strangers passing through
it involuntarily exclaim, " Beautiful!" Vis-
itors never tire of singing its praises. There
it is; it needs no enconiums. Editor Strong,
in the Gazette, truthfully and tersely says
of it:

"The village of Rhinebeck is 200 feet above
sea level; population, 1,G00; the village of
homes and business combined ; the parlor of
Dutchess county and the vacation spot of
hundreds of cit}7 people. Every corner is a
beauty spot. It has paved streets, two banks,
six churches, a Y. M. C. A. branch, a board
of trade, a weekly paper, pure water in plenty,
the oldest hotel in America, day and night

The Village 285

electric light and power service, one theatre,
adequate schools and fire protection, good
government and an exceptionally good public
library. In fact, everything- that any well-
regulated village of 2,000 inhabitants is
expected to have, it has. It is the centre of
the violet growing" industry, and supplies all
markets east of the Mississippi river with the
blooms. Two railroads pass through the town
limits, the New York Central and the Central
New England, and the service is the best."

In addition it has ferry connection with the
city of Kingston. The Thompson Home, a
combined hospital and home for the sick,
aged, infirm and unfortunate. It needs a
sewer system for sanitary reasons, and a
trolley connection with the county seat,
Poughkeepsie.

It has an electric plant, named the Dutchess
Light, Heat and Power Company. The di-
rectors are Frank Herrick, Dr. George N.
Miller, M. V. B. Schryver, T. A. Traver, Tracy
Dows, A. Lee Wager and R. Raymond Rikert.

It has a coal company to provide the people
with that necessary fuel. The directors are
Dr. George N. Miller, Frank Herrick, M. V.
B. Schryver, T. A. Traver, A. Lee Wager
and R. Raymond Rikert.

It has a water company that furnishes an

286 Historic Old Ehinebeck

adequate and very satisfactory supply of pure
water for all required purposes. This com-
pany has solved a serious problem that con-
fronted the village.

It has a realty and development company;
its object being- to open and develop available
land in the village for the building of homes.
Dr. George N. Miller, Frank Herrick, Theo-
dore de la Porte and R. Raymond Rikert are
interested in it.

Mr. R. Raymond Rikert is the efficient sec-
retary of all the companies named.

GENERAL TRAINING

What became known as general training
clays had early origin in "ye olde town." A
Capt. Cyrus De Hart located here soon after
the revolution. His name is on the census of
1790. In his family were four males over six-
teen, one under; three females and one slave.
He brought with him his warhorse. He was
very proud of it ; loved it as if it was a son.
Under his direction training day was regu-
larly observed. Capt. De Hart, with his gay
trappings, soldiery bearing, full of martial
valor, mounted on his big dapple gray horse
of war-like spirit, would have attracted atten-
tion and commanded respect anywhere. The
horse was indeed a noble steed. In its war-

The Village

287

dress it pranced and curvetted over the
parade ground, the admiration of all. Capt.

De Hart was an able drill officer. The picture
shows him drilling- a squad.

288 Historic Old Bhinebeck

Capt. Nathan Darling, an officer who had
some experience in the Florida Indian wars,
settled in the town. This was about 1838.
He had charge on general training days for
several years. He occupied the Darling lot on
the west side of Teller's hill, and introduced
many southern ideas in way of living. He had
one or two Indian. servants. He was a protege
of Martin Yan Buren.

He was active in town affairs and a forcible
politician. In 1855 he was elected doorkeeper
of the house of representatives. In Wash-
ington he had an extensive acquaintance.
Two Khinebeckers, James C. McCarty and
George A. Mann, were given appointments
under him. Andrew Z. McCarty, brother of
James C, was a member of that Congress.

The well-remembered Col., afterwards Gen.
John Watts De Peyster, also took great
interest in training days and military displays
in the village. He was always on hand at
fourth of July celebrations as master of cere-
monies. His "general orders" were worth
reading.

Capt. De Hart's warhorse must not be
forgotten. He, in 1807, laid himself down
and died, to the great grief of his owner.
Most persons would have merely hitched a
rope to the animal's neck, dragged him away

The Village 289

to some secluded hollow, and there uncere-
moniously put him out of their sight; but
not so did Capt. De Hart. He shocked the
" Dutchers " by claiming- that horses had souls
as well as people, especially if they were
good horses. He further insisted his defunct
war-steed should be clothed in his armor and
buried with military honors. Great prepara-
tions were made for the funeral ceremony.
Two or three companies of militia assembled,
full-plumed, each member wearing crape
around his left arm. They formed on each
side of the vehicle on which reposed the body
of the horse, and the procession moved for-
ward to the sound of martial music. Capt.
De Hart followed behind, in the capacity of
chief mourner. He was buried near what is
now the Driving park, in the village. A
strange coincidence but a deserved tribute to
a good horse.

Arrived at the place of interment the mili-
tary surrounded the grave, and as the horse
was being lowered into his last resting place,
the band played the "Dead March in Saul."
A deep hole had been dug, into which the ani-
mal was placed in a standing position. He
was clad in all the usual trappings that were
wont to grace his form in the days of his
strength. Solemnly the earth was closed

290 Historic Old Rhinebeck

over him ; a mound was made over the spot,
and covered with green turf. The race-course
was unconsciously located near his grave ;
it can be surmised that his ghost still haunts
the vicinity, and infuses a little of his old
mettle into the equines racing there. At
an exhibition of wax-works in the village, in
1859, De Hart's warhorse appeared to the
audience, clad in his armor; and so life-like
did he seem that one was almost ready to
admit he had really broke away from the
grave, and was again ready for service.

All able-bodied white male citizens between
the ages of eighteen and forty-five, and not
exempt for cause, were required to appear
annually on a fixed date for muster and drill.
This was known as general training. Failing
to attend subjected the delinquent to a pen-
alty. The drill grounds were either the hotel
lot or the pond lot. Training days became
holidays. They rivaled circus days. Festiv-
ities were not lacking ; amusements were
provided, and the occasion was made popular
in many ways. The huckster did a thriving
business. Mrs. Bell made molasses candy
and popcorn cakes. Schutt, the baker, gin-
gerbread. O'Harra, root beer, and these
popular delicacies have been talked about
ever since. These trainings were of no ad-

The Village 291

vantage in fitting men for military duty. As
a general frolic they were a success. About
1849, an organized militia was provided for,
divided into companies, regiments, brigades
of infantry, cavalry and artillery. Rhinebeck
had its home company, which was a part of
the twentieth regiment.

THE BOWERY HOUSE

This tavern was erected about 1800 by
Abram Brinckerhoff for a stage house. Large
barns were connected with it. Until 1801 it
was reached from the Sepasco road. In that
year a street was carried through the church
lands, which made East Market street as it
now is. Because of this tavern, the church
land on September 2, 1801, was released from
the restriction forbidding occupancy by liquor
sellers, peddlers, etc. Peter Pultz, a respected
citizen, succeeded Brinckerhoff. He had an
interesting family, and Pultz's tavern became
a town institution, rivaling the "old hotel."
It had its own clientele. The "Yellow Bird"
stage line quartered there. No pains were
spared to attract custom.

Novelty in entertainment or instruction
was one of the variety of uses to which the
Pultz tavern was put from its earliest days.
Within its walls there was a constant mov-

292 Historic Old Rhinebeck

ing panorama; before its doors distinguished,
picturesque and unwonted guests passed and
repassed. For those on duty or pleasure bent
it was a gathering- place. It was the centre
of life and affairs for a large section. Here
the local judge and jury settled the disputes
of the neighborhood. The eminent stranger,
the humblest wayfarer, the lowliest citizen,
were entertained alike. Its assembly room
for years was the exhibition place of travel-
ing shows and the ballroom of the town. Its
popularity waned after the retirement of Mr.
Pultz, because of old age. It was given the
name of the "Bowe^ House," and is still
standing, but no longer a tavern.

BUSINESS PROBLEMS

Rhinebeck was a business centre in its early
days. Its products had a market. Its me-
chanics had fame. In cereals its mills had a
large trade. The name Linwood, Rutsen,
Wurtemburgh, Ellerslie, Hobbs, on bag or
barrel, was a recognized guarantee of merit.
The fulling and paper mills equaled the best
in their line of work. In the manufac-
ture of what to-day is called colonial or
antique furniture ; chairs, tables, sofas, bed-
steads, bureaus, stands, etc., the homes of
the old families from New York to Albany,

The Village 293

and even in New Jersey and Pennsylvania,
bear evidence of the skill of Rhinebeck cabinet
makers. It was an extensive industry, and in
its prime as many as fifty experts at the trade
were engaged in production. Pieces of furni-
ture made in "ye olde town" by Uhl, Zerfus,
Merfelt, McCarty, Barnes, Morse, Quick,
Hanabergh, Teal, Carroll, and other of the
old-school mechanics, bring fabulous prices
to-day. Shipments of chairs, bureaus, etc.,
were made to distant places. In 1843 a boat
was loaded at the Slate dock to carry a cargo
to Charleston, South Carolina. In the mak-
ing of vehicles the town had no superior.
Fine carriages, coaches, wagons and sleighs
of all kinds, bearing the Rhinebeck mark,
were in use throughout the New England and
Middle States. The name of John G. Ostrom,
as maker, was sufficient to sell a wagon or
sleigh at a good price. Hyslop, Schoonmaker,
Heermance, Hevenor, Holdridge, Noxon and
Bates, names of good mechanics connected
with the vehicle trade, are remembered.
Rhinebeck work was sought for. The supply
never met the demand. Marquart's rakes,
harrows and plows satisfied the farmers.
Kellogg's hats, Betterton's boots and shoes,
Smith's clothes, found wearers in remote sec-
tions. Their reputation as skilled workmen

294 Historic Old Rhinebeck

reached far and wide. For sash, blinds and
doors, northern Dutchess, Columbia and
Ulster county came to Rhinebeck. In tin-
ware a dozen peddlers' wagons traversed the
country, obtaining their supply from Rhine-
beck makers. Styles cared for the clocks,
watches and silverware of the neighborhood.
The cooperage business was very extensive,
the tubs, pails, barrels, casks, kegs, made by
Jennings, Paulding, Row, Traver, and others,
found a ready sale, and kept a large force of
mechanics constantly busy. In leather goods,
the Drurys, followed by Van Steenbergh, met
the demand of those who would have only the
best. The blacksmiths, carpenters, painters
and masons of the town were experts in their
trades. Business problems were met and
solved without difficulty prior to the Civil
war. Brainy mechanics lived in Rhinebeck.

THE BANK

Through the efforts of Henry De Lamater,
William B. Piatt, William Kelly, N. W. H.
Judson and others the "Bank of Rhinebeck "
was incorporated, in 1853, with a capital of
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Mr.
De Lamater was its first president, succeeded
by Mr. Piatt, and then Edwin Hill. Each
served as long as life or health permitted.

GARRET VAN KEUREN HENRY DE LAMATER

WILLIAM B. PLATT AMBROSE WAGER

THEOPHILUS NELSON, M.D. ALFRED T. ACKERT

The Village 295

John D. Judson is now president. The cash-
iers were De Witt C. Marshall, John T.
Banker, William M. Sayre, James H. Thorn,
William H. Sen oil, and now William H. Jud-
son. It became a national hank soon after
the enactment of that banking- law. Its tellers
and bookkeepers have been Horatio Fowkes,
George A. Cramer, Henry C. Carroll, Wil-
liam H. Thorn, Philip F. Radcliffe. It is, and
always has been, a well-managed and pros-
perous institution. Its report at close of
business, Jury 15, 1908, showed resources,
$458,852.03; deposits, $193,065.02; surplus,
$25,000 ; undivided profits, $29,901.57. It has
a fine banking house on Mill street, valued,
with furniture and fixtures, at $14,000. It
has proved a sheet anchor to the merchant,
manufacturer and others in time of need.

The great panic of 1857 laid low some of
the strongest financial institutions of the day.
Among the incidents of this terrible time was
the suspension of the payment of specie by
nearly all the banks of the country. It was
the proud boast of the Bank of Rhine beck
officials that their bank was one of two banks
in the State of New York that never sus-
pended specie payment. The other bank was
the great Chemical Bank of New York city,
a bank of most extraordinary strength.

29G Historic Old Rhinebeck

The currency issued by the Bank of Rhine-
beck, like that of its cotemporaries, had an
average circulation of so many days, and found
its way back to the bank mostly through its
redeeming agent in New York city, the Me-
chanics Bank, then one of the strongest banks
in the great metropolis. As the panic pro-
gressed the life of the note in circulation be-
came shorter and shorter, and the pile of bills
in vaults became larger and larger. A sug-
gestion was made by an officer of the bank
that relieved the situation very materially.
He proposed that $25,000 of these bills be
sent to the bank department in Albany, ask-
ing that the bills be retired and $25,000 of
stock be returned to the bank. This had
never been done before, and most of the offi-
cials argued that it couldn't be done, but
finally bills representing $25,000 were packed
up and expressed to the department. The
latter promptly responded, and soon $25,000
in New York State bonds, then the only
security taken for the issue of bills, was in
hand. It was at once sent to New York,
sold and put to the credit of the Bank of
Rhinebeck. This stayed the flood of bills for
a period, and then more cash was necessary.
At that time there were less than half a dozen
stocks that could be sold without serious

The Village 297

depreciation. Among- these was Delaware &
Hudson Canal Company stock, which was as
firm as a rock.

One day, Hon. William Kelly, the owner
of Ellerslie, and as fine a replica of an En-
glish nobleman as could be found in a year's
travel, came driving up to the bank, of which
he was a director. Upon entering he took
from his pocket a large envelope, and hand-
ing it to the cashier, said, " There, send that
to New York, and sell it for the bank's ben-
efit. You can replace it to me when the
trouble is over." There were $14,000, face
value, in the bundle of Delaware & Hudson
stock, and it stiffened up affairs so the with-
drawal of currency was met, and everything
went right until matters resumed their nor-
mal character. But a Bank of Rhinebeck
note commanded gold whenever presented.

THE SAVINGS BANK

An institution that is the pride of the town
is the "Rhinebeck Savings Bank." It was
organized in 1862, during the Civil war period.
Joshua C. Bowne was its first president, and
Simon Welch, its secretary and treasurer.
During the forty-six 37ears of its existence it
has well served the purpose of its organiza-
tion. On July 1, 1908, its resources were

298 Historic Old Rhinebeck

$826,913.42. Its surplus, $39,430.73. It had
on deposit, $774,117.62. It owns its banking
house on Montgomery street, which is valued
at $5,000. It is managed as a savings bank
should be, conservatively and intelligently,
with a due regard to the interests of the
depositors. The officers in charge are men of
experience, long connected with the bank.
Augustus M. Traver is the president, and
Thaddeus A. Traver the treasurer.

THE TOWN HALL

When it became certain that the town had
been successful in the bonding litigation, and
was to escape that heavy burden of debt, it
was advocated to erect a town hall to com-
memorate the event. The story of "town
bonding" is told in chapter XV. A special
act of the Legislature was secured and an
election was held. By a vote of 238 ayes
to 128 nays it was decided to erect the hall at
an expense of $20,000. It was built in 1873,
under the direction of Ex-Supervisor Virgil
C. Traver, who had served as supervisor dur-
ing the bonding litigation. He was appointed
by the town board construction superintend-
ent. A better selection could not have been
made. The site was purchased of Griffin
Hoffman. The carpenter work was done by

MRS. MARY REGENA MILLER

Granddaughter of Gen. Philip Schuyler; wife of Hon. William
Starr Miller. Founder of the Starr Institute

" WHILE MEMORY HOLDS A SEAT, WE WILL REMEMBER THEE."

The Village 299

Henry Latson, and the mason work by James
D. Hogan and Rensaelear C. Worden, all
home mechanics. The building* is an orna-
ment to the village. The postofflce is located
on the south side ; Dr. Latson 's drugstore on
the north. A courtroom is on the west end,
and a public hall on the second floor. A
lock-up is underneath. It saves the town,
annually, considerable expense; the rentals
make it self-supporting. On the town
board at that time were John G. Ostrom,
supervisor ; Jacob Rynders, town clerk ; Tunis
Wortman, Isaac F. Russell, Conrad Mar-
quardt and Theophilus Gillender, justices of
the peace — all anti-bonders.

THE STARR INSTITUTE

An institution of great value to the village
and town is the Starr Institute. It was
erected by Mrs. Mary R. Miller, who became
a permanent resident of the town in 1858.
Mrs. Miller was a granddaughter of Gen.
Schuyler. She bought, reconstructed and
occupied the Schuyler mansion east of the
village. She was at this time the widow of
Hon. William Starr Miller, a prominent citi-
zen of New York. He had been 'a represen-
tative in Congress from the third district in
1845-7. He died in 1854. The .building was

300 Historic Old Ehinebeck

intended as a memorial to him. It was pre-
ceded by a free reading-room and circulating
library as an experiment. The success in
that field of usefulness led to the erection of
the larger building. A special act of incor-
poration was passed April 18, 18C2. On the
24th day of July, 1862, the board of trustees
organized. Hon. William Kelly was elected
president ; Nathan W. H. Judson, treasurer ;
Theophilus Gil lender, secretary. The present
suitable, commodious and handsome building
was erected and furnished at a cost of $15,000.
It is an ornament to the village, admired
by all who see it. Few villages have libraries
to compare with those in the Starr Insti-
tute. The Standard, on the second floor,
is filled with works of great value ; for
reference use, to which it is limited, it serves
every purpose. The circulating library, on
the first floor, has several thousand books ;
all the popular, readable works ; it is replen-
ished from time to time with the latest publi-
cations. It is a sourse of intellectual pleasure
and profit to hundreds. The free reading-
room contains the leading daily and weekly
papers, magazines, etc., for visitors' use.
They are many. The large hall for public
purposes ; the kitchen and dining-room below
have long met the wants of the community

WILLIAM KELLY

JAMES C. MCCARTY

EDWARD M. SMITH

NATHAN W. H. JUDSON
EDWIN STYLES

VIRGIL C. TRAVER

The Village 301

when lectures, concerts, fairs and social enter-
tainments were given. In 1907, a branch of
the Young- Men's Christian Association was
organized. The institute was set apart for
its use. The building- was enlarged and
altered to meet the requirements of that com-
mendable enterprise. It is now more than
ever a pleasant resort for the young- men of
the locality. It affords all the advantages of
the Y. M. C. A. It has a gymnasium, swim-
ming* pool and other accessories. As reor-
ganized, it is doing* a grand work that makes
this institution in every way an appropriate
monument to its noble donor, Mary R. Miller,
and her worthy husband, for whom it was
first erected as a memorial. It should and
will carry the name of Miller in grateful
remembrance down the river of time for
many generations to come.

THE THOMPSON HOME

Some years ago Rhinebeck was visited by a
citizen of Massachusetts named Thomas
Thompson. He liked the place and was
well treated by the townspeople. He was
possessed of large wealth. In his will he pro-
vided a trust in favor of certain needy persons
of the town, which trust, on the 19th day of
March, 1901, was established by a decree of

302 Historic Old Rhinebeck

the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.
The administration of this trust rests entirely
in the discretion of trustees. The trust fund
is large, and it is satisfactorily and judiciously
handled by the very competent trustees.
Rhinebeck has received substantial benefit
through the Thompson fund. Property was
purchased on Livingston street in 1901, which
has become a home for the aged, a hospital
for the sick and the centre of administration
of various philanthropic undertakings. It
answers the call in time of need. Few local-
ities are so well favored. The interesting ori-
gin of this beneficial institution is worthy of
mention. The good work the trust fund is
accomplishing endears the name of Thomp-
son and the trustees who are managing the
fund to Rhinebeckers and their friends. The
women of the town have an auxiliary organi-
zation which serves as an advisory board, and
secures the best posible results for the afflicted
and unfortunate.

HOLIDAY FARM

On the river road south of the old Kip-
Beekman-Heermance house is the Holiday
farm, a home for convalescent children. It
was established in 1901 by Miss Mary Morton.
During the summer of 1908 it had at one time

The Village 303

nineteen children under its care. Miss Lynch
is the efficient matron, assisted by a compe-
tent staff. The farm has done and is doing a
most humane work, and deserves generous
support. There is always a waiting list, for
whom application for admission has been
made. This charitable work of those able to
carry it on is a practical way of doing good,
and is far-reaching in life-saving results.

A STREET OPENING

As stated on page 184, John T. Schryver,
one of the members of the so-called im-
provement company, occupying the church
farm from about 1800, erected a house in the
track of Livingston street. This was his res-
idence for many years. After his death, his
son, Mathew V. B. Schryver, continued to
reside there. The question of opening Liv-
ingston street east to the Teal-Cookingham
farm was agitated from time to time. It was
a necessity. Finally, about 1883, steps were
taken by the village authorities to open the
street. This required the removal of the old
Schryver homestead. The project was bit-
terly fought by the son, Mathew. After a
long and expensive litigation he lost. The
street was opened. The old house was re-
moved. The village was improved and bene-

304 Historic Old Rhinebeck

fitted. Mr. Schryver would not be reconciled.
He could not forget or forgive. He removed
from the town of his birth and long residence.
Well advanced in years he made his home in
Greenbush, fifty miles away. The mistake of
the father cost the son more than dollars ; his
peace of mind was destroyed. It is plain to
everyone now that the building of the Lu-
theran church in the track of Centre street
has proved a serious drawback to village im-
provement.

BURNING OF THE M. E. CHURCH

The history of the Methodist church will be
found on pages 152-71. The account of its
destruction by fire and its rebuilding, a vil-
lage event, written for this history by its
then pastor, Rev. Stephen F. White, is here
given :

An event which caused wide-spread sorrow
throughout Rhinebeck and the surrounding
country was the burning of the Methodist
Episcopal church in the early morning hours
of Sunday, February 12, 1899, Lincoln's
birthday. The weather was bitterly cold,
and the snow lay deep on the ground. On
account of the severe cold, and in order to
have the church comfortably warm for the
Sabbath services the sexton had built a fire

The Village ■ 305

early on Saturday, and kept the furnaces run-
ning- at nearly full blast all day. He was
watchful, however, caring for them at fre-
quent intervals, and making- his last visit to
the furnace-room about 9.30 in the evening-,
when everything-, so far as he could observe,
was safe and in g-ood order. Tho pastor's
study was a room directly back of the pulpit,
lined with bookcases, in which were a thou-
sand volumes belonging- to the church, and
several hundred volumes belonging- to the
pastor. The latter was at work in the study
until quite late Saturday evening-, and when he
left everything- about the edifice seemed secure.
About two o'clock in the morning- of Sunday
a man passing- down the street in search of a
physician, saw fire in the church. He gave
the alarm at once, but almost as soon the
flames burst through the roof, and the whole
interior was a mass of fire. The fire com-
panies responded to the call, but were delayed
by frozen hydrants, etc., and could not arrest
the work of destruction. In fact, the fire
was beyond control before it was discovered.
Originating-, it is supposed, in a defective
flue, it worked its way slowly but surely
under the floor and along the walls, and as
the building was of stone and roofed with
slate the wiiole interior was burning before

306

Historic Old Rhinebeck

the alarm was or could be sounded. Pastorr
people and firemen were helpless, and could

HjS-^

only watch with sad heart the destruction of
the sacred building-. Suddenly, the flames

The Village 807

Slaving- burned off the ropes, the great bell
hanging- in the tower swayed, giving- forth
three notes, as if tolling- for the dead, and
then went crashing- to the cellar below. When
the morning- of the blessed Sabbath broke
over the scene a mass of broken, discolored
walls and smoking- ruins were all that
remained of this historic church.

THE NEW METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Before the ruins of the old church had
ceased to smoke the pastor called a meeting-
of the official board and presented the matter
of immediate rebuilding-. The board acted
promptly, and the following- were appointed
the building- committee: P. F. Radcliff, W.
R. Carroll, F. G. Cotting-, Oscar Cooking--
ham and M. E. Clearwater. The pastor,
ex-officio. It was thoug-ht at first that the
old walls could be used, but upon examination
by skilled mechanics they were found to be in
an unsound condition. It was then decided to
build an entirely new structure, and differing
in style from the old church. A call for plans
was at once issued, and in due time several
were submitted. Afjber careful discussion by
the committee, the plan submitted by Ackert
& Brown, builders, of Rhinebeck, was ac-
cepted, and the contract for building- was

308 Historic Old Khinebeck

awarded that firm. All this required timer
so that it was early summer ere work was
begun. In the meantime the pastor was
busy soliciting- subscriptions for the building
fund. There was but $5,000 insurance on the
old church, and the congregation was far
from being a rich one. Hence, an appeal to
the general public was necessary, and gen-
erous was the response. Members of sister
denominations and men of wealth living in
the vicinity responded promptly to the appeal.
The pastor received a subscription from as far
away a place as Switzerland. Ever37body,
rich and poor alike, showed a disposition to
help. It is no reflection upon others to
say that the late Phebe G. Hunt of Pough-
keepsie, widow of a Methodist minister who
had once been pastor at Rhinebeck, was a
most liberal helper.

On July 22, 1899, the cornerstone of the
new church was laid with impressive cere-
monies, the Rev. Clark Wright, presiding
elder of the Poughkeepsie district, having
charge of the exercises. All through the
summer and autumn work went on. Un-
avoidable delays occurred, difficulties arose,
but by the Divine favor all were overcome.

On Wednesday, February 14, 1900, one
year and two days from the burning of the

The. Village 309

old church, the new church, .completely
equipped with every comfort and convenience
for public service, at a cost of $16,200 was
dedicated to the worship and glory of Al-
mighty God. Bishop Andrews of New York
preached the dedicatory sermon, and with
glad hearts the large congregation joined in
the service. The church is gothic in style
and an ornament to the beautiful village of
Rhine beck.

As stated on page 170 the records of the
church were burned in the fire of 1899. The
-collection of complete data has been difficult.
Names of ministers who were stationed here
between 1845 and 1860 are omitted on page
171. Those of Rev. Dr. Ferris, H. Mercein, L.
W. Peck are recalled. Active workers in the
church during the fifty years prior to this fire
who should be named were Hector Bronson,
Le Grand Curtis, Henry Latson, John Mc-
Kown, William Carroll, Reuben Hanabergh,
David Norris, Dr. William Cross, James Ho-
gan, Lewis Asher, Peter Welch and their
families.

PROFEKSK )NS — DOCTORS

It is proper that mention be made of the
professional men in "ye olde town," and it
would seem that doctors come first. In 1769,

PIO Historic Old Jl/unebeck

Dr. Hans Kiersted was here. He was £
young1 man under thirty years of age. Dr.
Ananias Cooper had preceded him. As early
as 1638 there was a Dr. Hans Kiersted, a prac-
tising physician, surgeon and apothecary on
Manhattan Island. From that time until
recent years the name of Kiersted was on the
roll of physicians in the metropolis. In 1751,
the Weekly Post-Boy of May 20th said :

" Friday last died here Dr. Roelof Kiersted, a Gen-
tleman eminent in his Profession, altho' not skilled in
the technical Terms thereof, which often drew on him,'
the Contempt of his Brethern ; yet his great knowledge
in the Simples, his extensive Charity and successful
Cures to poor People has made his Memory precious to
them, and his Death a real publick Loss.n

This was the father of Dr. Hans. Thence,,
for over one hundred years the name Kier-
sted was connected with Rhinebeck. It has-
been spelled different ways. Until 1800 we
find Cooper and Kiersted administering to
the sick of the town. The name of Geissel-
bractit is also given. (See page 87.) Drs.
David Tomlinson, Abraham De Lamater,
Walter Land on, Eliphalet Piatt, Theophilus
Nelson, A. H. Hoff, George Lorillard, Martin
Freleigh. Federal Vanderburgh, Isaac F. Van
Vleit, Garret C. Lansing, Benjamin Lansing,
Benjamin N. Baker, C. S. Van Etten, F. H.
Roof, Pierre A. Banker, James F. Goodell..

The Village 311

M. M. Lown, S. H. Basch, are names on the roll

of physicians. Dr. Tomlinson introduced the
one-horse shay. Dr. De Lamater and Dr. Lan-

;>12 Historic Old Rhinebeck

don followed him in its use. Dr. Nelson pre-
ferred to ride horseback. Some used shanks'*
mare. Rhinebeck has furnished to the medical
profession many distinguished members.

THE LAWYERS

Commencing* with Judge Beekman, who
transacted law business in "ye olde town " as
early as 1706 ; then his son, Col. Henry, who
was an expert in the phrasing of legal docu-
ments, and a legislator for many years, skilled
in drafting- laws; then the Livingstons, all of
whom appear to have had legal education ; in
fact, law seemed to have been the profession,
if not the practise, of their sons. Even while
non-residents of the ward, precinct or town,
some one of them came whenever necessary
to transact required legal business. Henry
B. Livingston was on the ground before, and
returned after the revolution. William Alex-
ander Duer opened an office here as early as
1802. (See page 97.) Gen. Morgan Lewis
was a lawyer and in the town in 1785. (See
page 96.) Edward Livingston passed to and
fro several years earlier. (See page 98.)
Francis A. Livingston was in active practise
before 1812, having an office on the premises
now occupied by J. Howard Asher on Mill
street. William and Jacob RadclilTe were

The Village 313

lawyers. (See pages 99-100.) Alexander
Thompson, if not a lawyer, did law work.
John Armstrong1, Jr., commenced practise
soon after 1800, and continued for nearly fifty
years. Following these notables were Ed-
ward E. Cowles, Augustus Schell, Ambrose
Wager, John H. Piatt, Gouveneur Tillotson,
Andrew Z. and James C. McCarty, Moses
Conger, Henry M. Taylor, George Esselstyn,
Howard H. Morse, Robert L. Garrettson,
Alfred T. Ackert, P. Edgar Ackert, Augustus
T. Gillender, Frank T. Van Keuren, Charles
Ten Broeck, Martin Heermance, De Witt
Heermance, A. Lee Wager, Mathew V.
B. Schryver, Walter W. Schell, Charles L.
Holf, Frank H. Gray, Charles E. McCarty,
all of whom at some time lived in the town
and practised or were entitled to practise
law. Then there were others born and raised
in the town who either read lawr at home
and located elsewhere, or after removal be-
came lawyers and gained distinction at the
bar in the place of their residence. Some
reached the bench. Born in Rhinebeck, is
said of several distinguished lawyers. Many
local practitioners have won deserved fame as
lawyers. Rhinebeck has never lacked able
members of the bar to do any legal work
required by its inhabitants.

314 Historic Old Rhinebeck

NEWSPAPERS

The first newspaper in the town was the
Rhinebeck Advocate, published by Robert
Marshall in 1841. This was followed by the
Rhinebeck Gazette, published by Smith &
Camp, then by Edward M. Smith, William
Luff, Schutt & Dunning", L. R. Blanchard;
then again by William Luff. In 1859 Thomas
Edgerly bought the office and made George
W. Clark the publisher. In 1875, W. W.
Hegeman bought it and became the publisher.
It has since had several changes in manage-
ment. It is now published by Jacob H..
Strong, and is a well-edited representative
home paper, deserving the patronage of
Rhinebeckers and their friends.

The American Mechanic was published in
1850 by George W. Clark. The plant was
sold to S. T. Hoag and removed to Pine
Plains, and the Herald^ started about 1859.

The Rhinebeck Tribune was published by a
stock company from 1869 to 1873. The plant
was sold to T.G. Nichols and removed to Pough-
keepsie ; the Sunday Courier was established.

Several Rhinebeck boys won fame as type-
setters. William Mink and John N. Near
have had repeated mention. Horatio Fowkes
became a journalist of distinction. In this,

The Village 315

as in other fields, "ye olde town" has held
its own.

BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY

Passing' through the business section of the
village to-day the drugstores of Dr. Baker
and Dr. Latson ; the groceries of Williams &
Traver, Coon & Rhynders, Mrs. Gaul; the
meat markets of Rikert, Tremper, Pultz ; the
general store of Hamlin ; the furniture ware-
houses of W. R. Carroll and Andrew Grube
the hardware emporiums of Louis Rosencrans
Harry Smilie & Co. and O. E. Cookingham
the furnishing stores of George E. Ackert
O. V. Moeslin and Jacob Borowsky ; the jew
elry store of Haen ; the liveries of Rikert and
Fraleigh ; the flour, feed and lumber plant of
T. J. Herrick; the bakeries of A. C. Mc-
Curdy and J. B. L. Mann ; Luff's and Deck-
er's news depots; the smithery of John C.
Milroy ; Weckesser, the painter; Steenbergh,
the electrician ; Secor, the marbleworker ;
Ackert & Brown, A. M. Quick, the building
contractors; Pottenburgh, Bucchoini, Miller,
Lown, Snyder, Smith, and others in various
lines; Deichelman and Moeslin, the barbers;
the Gazette printing establishment ; the dress-
makers and milliners ;Heeb's and Ritter's shoe
stores: Decker's cafe: the "old hotel": im-

316 Historic Old Rhinebeck

press one with the fact that business men are
still in "ye olde town/' and that the wants of
the people are supplied as of yore. Manufac-
turing- alone is not apparent.

MINISTERS

Several Rhinebeckers became distinguished
clergymen. Philip Milledoler, S.T.D., born
in "ye olde town" September 22, 1775;
graduated, Columbia, 1793; ordained, 1794;
president Rutger's College, 1825-40 ; died,
September 23, 1852. Rev. Stephen Schuyler,
a Methodist minister of repute. Rev. John
B. Drury, D.D., editor Christian Intelli-
gencer, a clergyman of wide reputation. Rev.
Chester EL Traver, D.D., pastor Lutheran
church, Berne, New York, an earnest, de-
vout minister. Rev. David H. Hanabergh,
D.D., a well-known Methodist minister, for
many years president of the Drew Seminary.
Rev. Robert Johnston, an Episcopal divine
just entering upon his duties.

Reference is made in chapter VIII to min-
isters of the town. The history of its churches
is, in fact, a history of the locality, hence the
extended chapter covering ninety-two pages
of this book. There may be others not men-
tioned. If so, it is for want of information as
to them.

CHAPTER XIII

STAGE COACH DAYS

" Long ago, at the end of the route,
The stage pulled up, and the folks stepped out."

Earle.

THE stage coach and tavern have a history
in common, but the story of the stage
coach on the old post road, through "ye olde
town/' did not begin until seventy- five years
after Traphagen's first tavern was opened
and nearly twenty years after the " old hotel "
was built.

On the 4th day of April, 1785, at the eighth
session of the State Legislature, an act was
passed granting the "exclusive right to Isaac-
Van Wyck of Fishkill, Talmage Hall of Al-
bany, and John Kinney of New York, of erect-
ing and carrying on a stage to promote the
ease and benefit of the people of this State on
the east side of the Hudson river, between
the cities of New York and Albany, for the
term of ten years, to commence on the 1st
day of June, 1785, and all other persons are pro-
hibited from carrying on stage conve,yance on
the said east side of the river under a penalty of
two hundred pounds." Van Wyck, Hall and
317

318 Historic Old Rkinebeck

Kinney were to furnish at least two good and
sufficient covered stage wagons, to be drawn
each by four able horses, and were to charge
each person not to exceed 4 pence per mile,
and each person was permitted to carry four-
teen pounds in weight of baggage. The stage
wagons were to proceed once at least in every
week during said term, unless prevented by
the badness of the roads or some uncommon
accident.

Prior to this some attempt had been made
to carry passengers and freight by means of
crude vehicles, and at times by what was
known as the Conestoga wagon, drawn either
by horses or oxen. Freighting finally became
their only business, and that was irregular.
For freight transportation this wagon was
as perfect a vehicle as could be made. It
resembled the "prairie schooner" of later
days. The pump was a favorite stopping
place. "Grub" for the driver and feed for
the horses were frequently carried on the
wagon. The driver had his own blankets,
and often a straw mattress upon which he
slept. In cold weather he would sleep on the
tap-room floor, feet to the fire. Then, he
would stable his horses and get his breakfast
at the tavern.

In 1T97 an advertisement reads : "Albany

Stage Coach Days 3 ID

stages will leave New York every day at ten
o'clock in the morning-; arrive at Albany the
fourth da3r at nine o'clock in the morning-.
Fare of each passenger seven dollars."

The New York Post of February 13, 1803,
then a sheet 16x26, contains the following-:
"New York and Albany Mail Stag-e leaves
New York every morning- at 6 o'clock, lodges
at Peekskill and Rhinebeck, and arrives in
Albany on the third day. Fare of each passen-
ger through $8, and Gel. per mile for way pas-
sengers. For seats apply to Wm. Vandevoorb,
No. 43, corner of Cortland and Greenwich
streets, New York, and of T. Witmore, Al-
bany. Potter, Hyatt & Company."

The names given the early vehicles varied ;
stage chaise, stage waggon, stage chariot,
stage carriage, stage coach, omnibus, barge,
etc., were common. The first in "ye olde
town " was the stage waggon shown in the pic-
ture on the next page. A coach called the
"Concord " became the most popular. Many
of them were made in Rhinebeck. A man
named Uhl was an early builder. It has
justly been pronounced the only satisfactory
traveling vehicle ever made. The first one
appeared about 1802. They are still in con-
stant use. The "whips" to-day prefer the
name "tallyho." There was great rivalry

320

Historic Old Bhinebeck

between competing lines. It extended to
drivers, passengers and partisans along the
route. For years staging- was a profitable

business. Taverns, with barns attached, be-
came stopping- points ; blacksmith forg-es were
sary, horses were in demand, repair

btage Coach Days 321

shops must be convenient along- the line.
Rhine beck had all these adjuncts. It was a
great stage town.

Traveling- in the old stage coach was not
tantalized by the fleeting* half-glimpse of
places. Ample time to view an attractive
spot, with leisure to make inquiry about an
interesting locality, and to hear the driver's
or fellow-travelers' tales, was given. "One
would talk constantly," says an old-timer,
" query frequently, grow deeply versed in the
route's lore and history. The driver would
know the g-ossip of each village, the secrets
of each house he passed, the traditions and
tales of every neighborhood. Every mile of
the road was a point of interest." Rhinebeck,
with its eminent families, its early history,
its reputation as the place to get what was
needed in every line, was a welcome sight.
Here the weary traveler found rest and re-
freshment.

Passengers were not compelled to stop at
the "old hotel." There were several places
where meals and lodging- could be had. In
the Livingston house on Mill street, nearly
opposite the "old hotel," there lived for sev-
eral years a very popular, motherly lady,
Mrs. De Witt. She kept a boarding house.
Her table was justly celebrated. Many patrons

322 Historic Old Rhinebeck

came to her house. Under her hospitable roof
young- men employed in the village found a
home. She had two notable sons. Col. David
P. De Witt, U. S. A., and Charles A. De
Witt, for many years superintendent of the
United States Express Company. Col. De
Witt married a daughter of Harvey H.
Seymour. His son, Seymour De Witt, is
president of the First National Bank of Mid-
dletown, New York. Charles A. De Witt
married a daughter of Lewis Marquart. The
De Witts never forgot "ye olde town." They
were an honor to it. Peter De Witt was one
of the names on the revolutionary roll. He
was also recorded in the census of 1790. His
family then consisted of two males over six-
teen, three under, and one female.

It is said of the stage drivers on the post
road that they were a dignified and interest-
ing class of men. In their prime they were
a power. They were often entrusted with
important and delicate messages. They had
a characteristic mode of speech, terse and
quaint in expression that showed what was
termed "good horse sense." The winter was
their heyday. Wearing bearskin caps, vast
greatcoats, heavy long-legged boots ; driving
fine horses, heavy harness, brass-trimmed,
ivory rings ; clean, newly painted coaches, the

Stage Coach Days 323

outfit was a pleasant sight to look upon.
Prudent, kind-hearted, intelligent and accom-
modating, they carried the news of the day
from place to place ; messages to doctors in
cases of sickness along the route, and cheer-
fully did such errands as were within their
power where necessity required. They were
character-readers of both man and horse.
Hank Pultz, a Rhinebeck stage driver, is
said to have had a record of covering on his
stage over one hundred thousand miles. ' ' Ye
olde town " furnished a dozen or more drivers.
Traveling by stage the passenger was
taught by Nature, a great teacher. He saw
the many duties of country life, the round of
work on the farm, the succession of crops;
learned the names of grasses and grains;
saw the timid flight of wild creatures, rab-
bits, squirrels, woodchucks, and even the
wily fox. He heard strange sounds, the
screech of the owl, the snarl of the cata-
mount, the singing of birds. Was shown by
the driver " the biggest ellum in the county/'
the " finest grove in the State," the "purtiest
birch on the road," and the "wildest flowers
that grow." Counted the milestones; the
one on the flatts, "98 miles to New York,"
bringing him to the "old hotel." Guide
boards stood at the crossings of traveled

324 Historic Old Rhinebeck

roads. They are still most welcome. Dis-
tances were guessed at; "nigh on to a mile,"
" about two miles," "hard on to three miles,"
"a little better than four miles," was the
information given the road-jogger. The dis-
tance was rarely underestimated. A wayside
friend was the watering trough, a log of wood
hollowed out, Indian fashion, like a dug-out,
filled with cool, pure water from a hillside
spring. On the flatts the pump furnished the
supply. The stage-coach clays were great
days for "ye olde town." They brought
wealthy strangers who, resting for an hour,
walked about the streets, saw and wanted
many things made in the town. This carried
its name and fame to distant places. Every
trip the stage had new passengers who became
customers at a Rhinebeck shop. These days
finally came to an end in 1851, when the Hud-
son river railroad was finished to Albany.

CHAPTER XIV

RIVER TRAVEL

41 She walks the waters like a thing of life,
And seems to dare the elements to strife."

Byron.

AS ear ly as 1712 the sloop carried freight
and passengers from Beekman's landing
on Vanderburgh cove to New York and other
market places. The first home sloop was
named the " Maria/' and one of the Roosas
was its owner and captain. For a century the
sloop held undisputed sway upon the Hudson
river. A dozen or more during the busy sea-
sons plied between "ye olde town" and the
big city. Coenties slip was the landing place
there. In the town the names of Beekman,
Kip, Radclift'e, Tillotson, Lewis, Sleight, Rut-
sen, Schultz, Mills, Schatzel, Tyler, and one or
two others not traced, were given to landings
prior to 1812. There were a number of them,
and sloop navigation was a profitable busi-
ness. Bogardus, Pells, Ostrander, Jacques,
Ackert, Kipp, Elmendorf, Jennings, Schultz,
Mills, Briggs, Hanaburgh, were noted cap-
tains in their day. Often the sloop was the
home of the captain and his family. It was
325

326 Historic Old Rhinebeck

usually named after the owner's mother, wife
or daughter. Roomy cabins in the stern fur-
nished accommodations for passengers, and
they were ingeniously contrived to meet re-
quirements. Home comforts were not lack-
ing. The meals were substantial. Neatness
was the rule. Grain and farm products were
carried down to the New York market, and
on the up trip merchandise, manufactured
articles and raw material were brought to
the merchants, farmers and mechanics of the
period. A trip to New York was an event long
remembered and talked about by those for-
tunate enough to take it. Very few could do
so. It was an expensive luxury. The coming
of the steamboat in 1807 was an unexpected
as well as a fatal blow to the sloop as a pas-
senger craft. It had often required a week to
reach the city by the sloop, although at times
it was only a day's journey. The quick trip
the captain was always ready to tell about.
Wind, tide and weather were important fac-
tors. The first and last were uncertain. A
long, tedious journey on the river made life
miserable for those on board. Mr. Robert
Fulton and Chancellor Livingston, the first
well known in and a frequent visitor to "ye
olde town," and the latter a Beekman de-
scendant, proposed to make the journey in a

River Travel

327

day, regardless of wind or weather, and
they did it. On August 18, 1807, about noon,
the "Clermont" passed the Radcliffe and
Ferry landings, now the Slate and Long docks,
vomiting- fire and smoke to the consternation
of those who saw it. Pete Sleight fled to
Jacques' tavern on the flatts, telling those he
met that "the devil had gone up the river on
a saw mill." At this time the horseboat did

service as a ferry. It was an improvement on
the ferry, shown on page 64. The wheel to
propel a craft had been tested. Horse power
turned it. The steam engine in place of the
horse worked a great change in navigation,
and traveling by water was shorn of many
difficulties. Slow travel by sloop and stage
coach had ended. The fast-sailing craft pro-
pelled by steam became the favorite method.

328 Historic Old Rhinebeck

It was not cheap at the start, as the fare to
or from the city was four dollars, and that
was all a man could earn in a week. Its pop-
ularity increased as new and faster boats with
many improvements were put upon the river,
and it is to-day, with its large and magnifi-
cent craft, the wonder of many ; the delight
of travelers and pleasure seekers.

The barge was a valuable feature of "ye
olde town." It was the successor of the
sloop, and soon followed the steamboat upon
which it depended. It carried freight and
passengers. It made lively market days. It
drew traffic from a wide area. One could
"travel on it, propelled by steam, without
danger of accident from bursting boilers or
defective machinery," said the advertisement.
The " Milan" was one of the first barges
on the river. Its captain was William S.
Cramer. Its stewardess, Jennie Pierce. For
years these names were familiar to the towns-
people. "Rhinebeck and New York" is the
heading of a poster. Then a picture of the
barge. "The elegant and commodious barge
MILAN, Capt. Wm. S. Cramer, will leave
the Slate Dock for New York every Tuesday
at 6 p.m., landing at the foot of Robinson
Street, N. R. Carries freight and passengers.
Returning every Saturday, leaving at 5 p.m.

River Travel

329

Particulars from Captain on board, or, at
office on dock." The barge had two decks
and a hold. In the hold at the stern was a
room for men, with a bar, table and seats.
Around the sides were berths. In the rear
was a wash-room and lavator}7. On the main
deck above was a fine cabin, with a few sleep-
ing- rooms and berths for women in front. A

dressing-room on the end ; windows along the
sides. The centre was a saloon or sitting-
room, provided with chairs, sofas and small
tables for the use of passengers. Here quiet
games were played ; books and papers read ;
conversation enjo\7ed. At the upper end of
this cabin was a long table at which meals
were served. A kitchen, with china and linen
closets adjoined. The meal was a feature of

330 Historic Old Rhinebeck

the trip. The table was bountifully supplied.
The food well cooked. The passengers, as a
rule, hungry. The captain was seated at the
head ; he directed the serving and was
a great entertainer. The meal hour was
thoroughly enjoyed. It was anticipated with
pleasure. Expectations were realized. The
fifty cents charged for the meal was well
invested. The "Milan," after years of ser-
vice, was succeeded by the "Rhinebeck," and
that by the "Enterprise." These were the
Slate dock barges. The Long dock barge
was the "Clinton." The history of one is
that of all. The barges were towed by steam-
boats, the Chancellor Livingston, Indiana,
Robert L. Stephens, in the early days. The
freighting trade was large and profitable.
On page G2 are the names of the persons car-
rying it on.- Townspeople visiting the me-
tropolis for a few days often lived on the
barge during their stay, returning home on
the up trip. The barge carried a varied
cargo. Farm products, baled hay and straw,
flour, grain and feed, live stock, cows, calves,
sheep, lambs, poultry, bound for the city
slaughter houses. Frequently horses for the
streetcar lines. "Balling," bleating, neigh-
ing and crowing were musical accompani-
ments of the down trip. The names of Hicks,

River Travel 331

Schultz, Walter mire, Killmer, Pitcher, Le
Roy, Hedges, extensive buyers, drovers and
shippers are remembered. Much produce was
received on consignment from farmers and
others and sold by the captain in the city to
the best advantage ; returns were made before
the next down trip. The home merchants,
millers and manufacturers found the barge a
great convenience. There are some who still
remember barge days. For many years a
night boat stopped at the Slate dock on the
way up or down. In recent years the Rhine-
beck dock was the landing place of the day-
line steamers. In summer the mountain
travel brought hundreds daily to the town
dock. This has been changed. Now it is nec-
essary to go to Poughkeepsie to get the day
boat. A Saugerties boat makes the ferry
dock a landing point. This is all that remains
to the town of river travel. Rhinebeck is no
longer an important place on the river map.
Home enterprise can and should restore it to
deserved prominence.

CHAPTER XV

BONDING THE TOWN

" A hundred years of regret pay not a farthing of
debt,"

German Proverb.

NO debt. No reg-rets. The escape of "ye
olde town " from a burdensome bonded
indebtedness was fortunate indeed. "Them
were exciting- times," exclaims an old resi-
dent. They were. A great legal light was
made and the right prevailed. To-day it is
almost forgotten. It should not be. "Debt
has a small beginning, but a giant's growth
and strength," said Beaconsfteld. The tax-
payer would have found it so. On April 26,
1870, after much preliminary agitation and
discussion, the "Rhinebeck and Connecticut
Railroad Company " was organized. Its cap-
ital was $1,000,000, divided into ten thousand
shares of $100 each. The railroad was to be
a connecting link between the coal regions of
Pennsylvania and the manufacturing districts
of the east. A proposition large in promise
that proved very small in performance. The
home promoters may be credited with good
intentions. The directors of the company
332

Bonding The Town 333

from Rhinebeck were William Kelly, Alfred
Wild, William B. Piatt and Ambrose Wager.
Four good men and true. Mr. Wild was presi-
dent. There were in all thirteen directors.
An ominous number. The Delaware and Hud-
son Canal Company, which then had its outlet
at Rondout, was supposed to be behind the
scheme. Surveys were soon made and a route
laid out through Rhinebeck to Red Hook, and
then easterly. Of course, the town was ex-
pected to help build the road. It promised
to be of substantial benefit to it. Wealthy
and influential citizens were at the front.
They knew. Town bonding was then an easy
way to raise money for such a purpose and
comparatively a simple matter. Two hun-
dred and fifty thousand dollars was the sum
expected, but to make things run smoothly at
the start only $100,000 was named in the first
application. That obtained and expended it
was plain that the balance would have to
come to save the town from loss of its
$100,000. It looked easy. All that the law
required was the signatures of a majorit}7, of
the taxable inhabitants representing a ma-
jority of the taxable property, as shown by
the last assessment roll of the town, to a
petition addressed to the county judge. Early
in 1871 such a petition was prepared and sig--

334 Historic Old Rhinebeck

natures obtained to it. This petition was
presented to Judge Anthony, and he gave the
following notice, which was published in the
village papers :

IN THE MATTER of the application of the tax payers
of the Town of Rhinebeck, in the County of Dutchess,
under chapter 907 of the laws of 1869 and the acts
amendatory thereof, to issue the Bonds of said Town,
and invest the same or the proceeds thereof in the
stock of the Rhinebeck and Connecticut Railroad.

To whom it may concern :

Notice is hereby given that I shall on the 11th day of
May, 1871, at ten o'clock in the forenoon of that day,
at my office in the city of Poughkeepsie, in said county,
proceed to take proof of the facts set forth in the peti-
tion in this matter, as to the number of taxpayers join-
ing in said petition, and as to the amount of taxable
property represented by them.

Allaed Anthony,

Dated April 27, 1871. Dutchess Co. Judge.

A hearing was had. There was some oppo-
sition, but it failed to be effective, and Judge
Anthony made and gave notice of his decision
as follows:

IN THE MATTER of the application of the tax payers
of the Town of Rhinebeck, in the County of Dutchess,
under chapter 907 of the laws of 1869 and the acts
amendatory thereof, to issue the Bonds of said Town,
and invest the same or the proceeds thereof in the
stock of the Rhinebeck & Connecticut Railroad Com-
pany.

Bonding The Town 335

To whom it may concern :

Notice is hereby given that I have made my final
decision in this application, presented to me on the
27th day of April, 1871, and find and determine that
the petitioners do represent a majority of the tax pay-
ers of the Town of Rhinebeck as shown by the last
preceeding tax list or assessment roll, and do repre-
sent a majority of the taxable property upon said list
or roll, not including those taxed for dogs or highway
tax only, and have filed my determination with the
Clerk of the County of Dutchess reference being had
to such determination or Judgment will more fully
and at large appear Allard Anthony,

Dated May 18, 1871. Dutchess Co. Judge.

He appointed three representative men of
the town bonding- commissioners, viz. : John
J. Hager, Herrick Thorn and James C. Mc-
Carty. They met and organized. Mr. Mc-
Carty was made secretary, and he published
the following notice :

$100,000. — Any person desiring one or more of the
Bonds of the Town of Rhinebeck, may leave their
order with J. C. McCarty, one of the Commissioners,
and thereby be entitled to preference. The bonds are
$1,000 each ; have thirty years to run, and bear inter-
est at 7 per cent, from August 1, 1871, payable semi-
annually at the Bank of Rhinebeck. Orders for these
bonds will be entirely confidential. By order of the
Commissioners. J. C. McCarty,

Dated July 10th, 1871. Sec'y Corn's.

An attempt was made during the summer

336 Historic Old Rhinebeck

to reverse the action of the county judge, but
it came to naught. Matters drifted along
until December. The bonds were then ready
for issue. The commissioners gave notice to
that effect :

RHINEBECK 7 PER CENT.

BONDS FOR SALE
The Commissioners for bonding Rhinebeck offer for
sale at par and accrued interest $90,000 of coupon
bonds of the Town of Rhinebeck, payable in 30 years,
with interest from August 1, 1871, at 7 per cent. In-
terest payable semi-annually — February 1st and Au-
gust 1. Apply to the undersigned Commissioners at
Rhinebeck. John J. Hagek,

Herrick Thorn,
J. C. McCarty,

Commis'rs.
Rhinebeck, Dec. 12th, 1871.

By the fall of 1871 much opposition to the
railroad as projected had developed. William
Astor, through his counsel, Howard H.
Morse, secured a change of its route over his
premises. Joseph H. Baldwin, through same
counsel, adjusted a controversy which also
concerned the business and farming interests
of the town, as the future of the barge was
involved. The bonding question excited many
active citizens. Early in December Mr. Astor
instructed Counsellor Morse to find, if possible,
a way to test the legality of the bonding pro-

Bonding The Town 337

ceedings in the Supreme Court. He desired
the active co-operation of other taxpayers.
Some one had to take the lead in securing"
united action on the part of the taxpayers.
Mr. Morse invited James H. Wynkoop, John
G. Ostrom, Louis A. Ehlers, David Norris
and Conrad Marquardt to act as a prelimin-
ary committee as Mr. Astor had suggested.
He retained Hon. Homer A. Nelson as coun-
sel. He made copies of all the papers. After
reviewing- all the facts it was decided to bring
an action in the name of Wynkoop as a tax-
payer against the commissioners, the railroad
company and the town. The preparation of
the papers was a long and tedious matter,
They were voluminous. Many affidavits had
to be obtained. Judge Barnard reluctantly
granted an injunction, which, on January 9,
1872, he made permanent. Hon. Ambrose
Wager and Hon. Henry M. Taylor were the
counsel for the railroad company. A public
meeting, called by the preliminary committee,
was held in the Starr Institute on the 5th clay
of January, 1872 ; it was largely attended ;
the following" is the record as made by the
secretaries :

"The meeting was called to order at 7.30 p.m., by
John G. Ostrom, Esq., on whose motion Michael Tra-
ver was elected president.

338 Historic Old Ehinebeck

" On motion of David Norris the following persons
were elected vice-presidents : William R. Schell, Rut-
sen Suckley, Lewis Livingston, M. V. B. Schryver,.
William Astor, William B. Kip, Edwin J. Bergh, Virgil
C. Traver, Samuel Ten Broeck, Charles I. Cramer.

" On motion of Mr. C. Marquardt the following per-
sons were elected secretaries : Louis A. Ehlers, John
L. Elseffer, and Augustus M. Traver.

"On motion of Mr. Ostrom, Thomas Edgerley was
elected treasurer. The president invited Howard H.
Morse, attorney for Astor, Baldwin, Wynkoop and
others in certain railroad litigation, and in opposition
to the bonding scheme, to address the meeting. Mr.
Morse did so, and explained fully what had been done.
He expressed confidence of favorable outcome in the
injunction suit.

" Mr. Ostrom introduced the following resolutions,
which were adopted :

"Whereas James H. Wynkoop, a resident, taxpayer
and officer of the town of Rhinebeck, has commenced
an action in the Supreme Court to test the legality of
the bonding of the town in aid of the so-called Rhine-
beck and Connecticut Railroad Company, and

" Whereas, It is well known and understood that
this whole bonding scheme has been accomplished by
fraud, misrepresentation and deceit of a most scandal-
ous character, and no fair, honest and unbiased ex-
pression of the opinion of the taxpayers of the town
on the subject of bonding has ever been obtained ; and

" Whereas, It is notorious that the bonding law has
been entirely disregarded by the men who inaugurated
and carried forward this scheme to its present condi-
tion, and its provisions openly ignored. Now, there-
fore, we the taxpayers of the town of Rhinebeck in
public meeting assembled, hereby resolve that we will

Bonding The Town 339

sustain and support the said James H. Wynkoop in
the prosecution of the suit commenced by all honorable
means at our command.

Resolved, That we request the supervisor, town
clerk, justices of the peace and other town officers, to
unite with us in the name of the town by the author-
ity and power in them vested, to sustain the said
James H. Wynkoop in the successful prosecution of
the said action.

" Resolved, That we request our Senator and Assem-
blymen to urge the speedy passage of a law, repealing
all laws in relation to bonding of towns and munici-
palities of whatsoever kind or nature.

" Resolved, That the thanks of the taxpayers of the
town of Khinebeck are due, and are hereby tendered
to his excellency, Gov. Hoffman, for his recommenda-
tions on the subject, contained in his annual message.

"Resolved, That we disclaim any opposition to the
so-called Khinebeck and Connecticut Kailroad Com-
pany, but we protest against being made compulsory
stockholders in that, or any other corporation.

"Resolved, That the commissioners appointed by
Judge Anthony to issue the bonds of the town, are in
a measure officers of the town, to whose charge and
care has been committed a sacred trust, and honor and
duty, as well as a decent regard for the interest of the
taxable inhabitants of the town, alike demand of them
a faithful, fearless and impartial discharge of their
duties, and any connivance, combination or intriguing
with said railroad company or its officers will be a
breach of trust deserving the condemnation of all
good citizens.

" Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be
published in the Khinebeck and Poughkeepsie papers.

" An invitation was then extended to all present to

340 Historic Old Rhinebeck

come forward and sign certain petitions, in opposition
to bonding, and sustaining Mr. Wynkoop.
" The meeting then adjourned.

" Louis A. Ehlers,
" John L. Elseffer,
" Augustus M. Tra ver.

" Secretaries.'5'

The town officers acted as requested and
retained Hon. Charles Wheaton to represent
the town. Certiorari proceedings were com-
menced by John G. Ostrom, Tunis Wortman
aud Thomas Edgerley. A restraining- order
had been made upon these propositions :

1. That a majority of the taxable inhabitants repre-
senting a majority of the taxable property of the town,
as shown by the assessment roll for the year 1870,
never made or signed the application upon which the
proceedings were based.

2. That the assessment roll for the year 1870 was not
a de-jure roll.

3. That the incorporation of the railroad company
was incomplete and defective and it could not sell or
issue valid stock.

4. The county judge had no jurisdiction to act.

More than one hundred affidavits were
taken of persons whose names appeared upon
the petition, denying-, explaining, withdraw-
ing, etc., signatures.

The town assumed the prosecution of the
injunction suit, and the certiorari proceedings
by the vote of a special town meeting.

Bonding The Town 341

SPECIAL

TOWN MEETING
To Tunis Wortman, Esq., Town Clerk of the Town
of Rhinebeck, Sir: The undersigned being twelve or
more persons eligible to the office of Supervisor of the
Town of Rhinebeck, hereby make application for and
require a special town meeting to be called for the
purpose of deliberating in regard to the proceedings
in the case of the People ex. rel. John G. Ostrom and
others against Herrick Thorn and others, and in the
action of James H. Wynkoop against the Rhinebeck &
Connecticut Railroad Company and others, which
cases are being prosecuted for the purpose of discharg-
ing the taxpayers of the town from liability for the
payment of the principal or interest of any bonds in
aid of the Rhinebeck and Connecticut Railroad Co.,
and also for the purpose of raising monies for the con-
duct and prosecution of said suits or cases :
George Lorillard, David Norris,

Jacob L. Van Wagenen, Thomas Edgerley,
P. R. Quick, B. B. Van Steenburg,

Richard Shultz, Griffin Hoffman,

William R. Schell, " John D. Judson,

C. Marquardt, Gilbert Traver,

William Bates, James Williams,

William S. Myers.
In pursuance of the above application I hereby call
a Special Town Meeting to be held at the House of G.
Hoffman, in the town of Rhinebeck, on

SATURDAY, MARCH 23. 1872
when the following preamble and resolutions will be
submitted to the qualified electors of said town, when
all in favor of the said resolution will vote " aye," in
opposition " No," by a printed or written ballot. The

342 Historic Old Rhinebeck

polls of said town meeting will be opened at 9 o'clock
A.M., of said day, adjourned at 12 o'clock, for one-
hour and finally closed at 4 o'clock of the same day.

PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTION

Whereas, An action in the Supreme Court was here-
tofore commenced by Jas. H Wynkoop, and certain
proceedings had by John G. Ostrom and others — which
action and proceedings are now pending and have for
their object the obtaining a judgment of the Court de-
claring that the town of Rhinebeck has never been
legally bonded to aid the Rhinebeck and Connecticut
Railroad, and that the said town, and the taxable
property therein and the taxpayers thereof are not in
any way liable for the payment of the principal or
interest of any bonds issued in any proceedings to
bond said town, and

Whereas, the conduct of the said cases is for the
common benefit of all the taxable property and tax-
payers of said town.

Resolved, That the costs and expenses incurred and
to be incurred by James H. Wynkoop, and John G.
Ostrom, Tunis Wortman and Thomas Edgerley, in the
conduct of said cases to final judgment be and the
same hereby are declared to be a Town charge.

Resolved, Further that the Board of Town Auditors
be and they hereby are authorized, directed and em-
powered to audit and allow to the said James H. Wyn-
koop and others the said costs and expenses.

Resolved, Further that the supervisor of the Town
be and he is authorized, directed and empowered to
pay the said costs and expenses out of any monies in
his hands belonging to the town.

Tunis Wortman,

Dated Rhinebeck, March 11, 1872. Town Clerk.

Bonding The Totvn 343

These resolutions were carried by one hun-
dred and twenty majority. Trials were had.
The case finally reached the General Term of
the Supreme Court on the facts as established
before Judge Barnard. At the September,
1872, term held in Brooklyn, judgment was
"ordered setting- aside and vacating the pro-
ceedings before the county judge and revers-
ing his order and determination of May 18,
1871 ; also vacating the appointment of said
McCarty, Thorn and Hager as commissioners,
and also vacating and annulling the acts and
proceedings of the said commissioners under
the said appointment."

The form of the judgment to be settled
before Justice Barnard.

An appeal was taken to the Court of Ap-
peals, where this judgment was affirmed,
and thus ended the attempt to bond the town
of Rhinebcck to build a railroad. The public-
spirited citizens who led the movement to
save the town from this burden of debt are
entitled to be remembered. William Astor
comes first; then John G. Ostrom, Conrad
Marquardt, James H. Wynkoop. Other
names that appear in this chapter can be cor-
rectly placed.

CHAPTER XVI

COLONIAL TIMES AND LATER

" An oaken, broken, elbow chair ;
A candle-cup without an ear ;
A battered, shattered, ash bedstead ;
A box of deal without a lid ;
A pair of tongs, but out of joint ;
A back-sword poker, without point ;
A dish which might good meat afford once ;
An Ovid and an old Concordance."

Dean Swiff s Inventory.

THE voice of the past is audible to-day
only in books, old buildings and relics.
Material substances in one form and another,
however, remain to prove its potency. Val-
uable, indeed, is the chair, table, cup or dish
used by our forefathers a century or more
ago. The relies of the past are evidence of
departed worth. That we treasure them is
creditable. They are connecting* links attach-
ing- a memorable past to the eventful present.
From the tallow dip to the electric light the
inventory tells a wonderful story.

The Kips, Van Wagenens, and their fol-
lowing-, the Beekman-Livingston families, the
Palatine settlers, have all left in the shape of
relics evidences of the early days, their strug-
344

Colonial Times and Later

341

A DUTCHMAN

gles and triumphs in "ye olde town," which
to their descendants are priceless.

In colonial times people
lived much according to cir-
cumstances as they do now.
In 1700 there were burghers,
both rich and poor, but homes
of luxury were not common.
The necessaries of life could
be had by all, and with these
provided, poverty was not
very hard to bear.

The Palatine settlers lacked
many of the advantages possessed by their
Kipsbergen neighbors. They were poor, but
intelligent and thrifty. They did not eat the
bread of idleness. Hewers of wood, drawers
of water, subduers of the earth from neces-
sity, if not from choice, "they had within
them the elements of a perpetual growth, and
they soon swelled beyond the measure of their
chains."

They started as tenants, paying tribute in
the shape of rent to a wealthy landlord. The
head of a family had to be a "jack of all
trades," and turn his hand to the making of
the implements of labor and household uten-
sils required. Home-spun and home-made
goods satisfied the family wants.

346 Historic Old Rhinebeck

The hum of the vrows' spinning wheel,
and the flight of the shuttle in the weaver's
loom, made sweet music for the old and
young. What could not be produced at home
they cheerfully went without. That was the
custom. It is no longer observed.

Having felled the trees, removed the stumps
and stones, cleared the ground, made fences,
built houses and barns, dotting the hills and
vales of "ye olcle town," they proceeded to
till the soil and raise stock, soon reaping in
good measure the benefits of their industry,
skill and opportunities. They builded better
than they knew.

The patient, plodding housewife and her
daughters baked and brewed toothsome, nour-
ishing food and palatable beverages. Cook-
ing was done in a fireplace large enough to
use wood four feet in length, and deep enough
to hold one-quarter of a cord of wood. Bread
was baked in a "bake kettle " having a cover.
The kettle was placed in the fire and covered
with ashes and coals. Bread thus baked was
excellent we are told. Later on a great im-
provement was made by building ovens in
which a fire was kept until a bed of coals was
formed upon which the baking was done in
stone or iron dishes. While the methods were
crude, "cooking and baking" was not a

Colonial Times and Later 347

lost art with the early settlers. At most the
"vrow's" ingenuity was constantly taxed to
devise modes and means to do her work.

Leather was home-tanned, usually by some
one person for all who needed it. A large
trough was used. This was nearly filled with
pounded oak and hemlock bark ; the hides
were placed upon it, weighted down and the
trough was then filled with water to cover
the hides. A strong astringent liquor was
soon made and the hides tanned. This liquor
was prized for its healing qualities. Bruised
and chapped hands and feet bathed in it at
night before retiring would heal and harden.

One pair of shoes was allowed each person
in a year. The shoemaker, like the peddler,
traveled from one dorf to another. Attend-
ing church or meetings, old and young, male
and female, carried their shoes, and would
put them on before reaching the place. Stock-
ings were not in fashion. Logging, clearing
and stone bees were frequent. Cider and lop-
pered milk were unsparingly used on these
occasions. Maple sugar was plenty, and by
grating or shaving it over loppered milk a
delectable dish was the result ; this was greed-
ily devoured by those present. The "menu '?
included sugared johnny cake, spiced pud-
dings, porrage, pot cheese, bread and butter.

348

Historic Old Ehinebeck

Help one another was the rule, and in a few-
years the "Sepeskenot" land teemed with
luxuriant growths of grain and grasses.

Regardless of the deprivations which these
hardy settlers were forced to endure, amuse-
ments were not lacking; sport was enjoyed;
practical jokes were indulged in; life was
taken seriously by parents, but not discontent-
edly. It is doubtful if the descendants of
these worthy people with all their modern
conveniences enjoy life to-day any better than
their ancestors did in the early days.

Nearly every house-
hold had its spinning
wheels, one for flax
and another for wool.
Many had more. The
s to r e of household
linen was usually
large ; Dairy utensils
were numerous,
churns, pails, pans,
etc., were on every
farm. Milk, butter and cheese were plenty
and good.

On the Sabbath day, the domestic duties of
the week being discarded, the family, arrayed
in their best, attended their church services.
The "koeck," or bell ringer and sexton, was

*^

Colonial Times and Later 349

an important person on that day. He was
master of ceremonies and attended to the
proper seating- of the congregation.

Schools were early established, and the
youthful members of the household, growing
up into man and maidenhood, gave an im-
petus of advancement, which was evidenced by
the older ones in greater attention to out-
ward appearances.

The interior of the humble homes of the
early settlers presented, as may be supposed,
simply the necessary useful furniture for
every-day purposes. The great chest, with
its precious stores of household goods, was
the most imposing piece ; chairs were supplied
by stools, rough-hewn from wood cut and
dressed as required. Tables and other arti-
cles were also of home make. Crude shelves
formed the cupboard. The bedstead was the
"slaap banck," or sleeping berth, but upon it
the great feather bed lay in state, and gave
in comfort all that was wanting in display.

Among the Dutch — high or low — the acci-
dent of family descent was neither recognized
or claimed. The question of rank, now the
perpetual heartache of human society, did not
trouble the early settlers. Sensible people,
they solved the puzzle of caste by tabooing
those differences in wealth, avocations and

350 Historic Old Rhinebeck

conditions that might have made the superior-
ity of the fortunate over those less favored a
disturbing- element in their daily life. Per-
sonal worth counted then as now. At enter-
tainments the roystering young farmhand and
the lively dairy maid might stand the next
couple in the dance to the heir of the patentee
and the youthful belle of the manor house.
This continued until after the revolution,
although among the English, who came in
colonial times, were not a few who could fairly
boast of high social connections at home, and
whose education and habits of life forced rec-
ognition of distinctions more or less marked.
A gradual change followed and the genera-
tions succeeding the race of primitive early
settlers, where position in life had been deter-
mined by inheritance, found no sympathy in
their hearts towards the common people.
They were common people who made Rhine-
beck. They have kept it alive. Two hun-
dred years have worked little change in this
respect. The common people are still at it.
Of them is humanity principally made up.
They make up the armies that fight. They
are the force of men that till the soil,
hold the levers of commerce, bear the bur-
dens of trade, fill the churches, crowd the
schools, build the homes of men where the

Colonial Times and Later

351

leaders of the future are to be born and will
compose the vast multitude in the great Be-
yond. Gocl has need of them, and as Lincoln
said, "God best loves the common people
because he made so many of them."

The convey-
ances of the
early days look
odd to - day.
Mrs. Gertrude
Beek man's
sleigh, in which
she would ride
on Sunday, in 1788, and later, to the "old
Dutch church" on the flatts, would hardly
answer persons in her walk of life now. Still
it was cosey and comfortable, with its fur-
covered seats, big- buffalo robes and foot-
warming- pan.

As stated on page 84, slavery existed in
"ye olde town " in the early days. In 1755
there were 116 slaves; in 1790 the number
reached 421. The old records show convey-
ances of human flesh as well as of land. As
a sample we copy this :

" Know all men by these presents that I, Benjamin
Van Steenburgh, of Rhinebeck Precinct, in the county
of Dutchess, in consideration of four hundred and
seventeen pounds, twelve shillings current hard money
to me in hand, paid by Benjamin B. Van Steenburgh, of

352 Historic Old Ehinebeck

the precinct and county aforesaid, yoeman, Have bar-
gained and sold and by these presents do bargain and
sell unto the said Benjamin B Van Steenburgh, The
Negors, horses, chattels, Sheep, Swine, goods, house-
hold stuffs and implements of household, whatsoever
mentioned in the Schedule hereunto annexed."

The remainder of the instrument is in due
legal form, warranting- and defending* pos-
session of said property. It bears date the
19th day of April, 1785. Then follows a
schedule of the property, to wit:

"Schedule of the Negurs, Horses, Hornbests etc.,
delivered by the within Bargain of Sale :
A nigro man Peete, 17 yrs. old, £80 00.

A negro wench Nancy 54 yrs. old 30 00.

Their bedding, 1 00.

A stallion 7 years old, 100 00.

&c. &c."

Another reads :

" Know all men by these Presents that I, Anthony
Hoffman, of Rhynbeck Town, in the County of Dutchess
and State of New York, for and in consideration of the
sum of Four hundred pounds current money of the
said State already received to my full satisfaction, the
receipts of which I do hereby acknowledge, have
granted bargained and sold, and by these presents do
grant, bargain and sell unto Anthony Rutgers, at
present of the Town and County aforesaid, Esquire,
the negro men negro women and children following,
that is to say Dina and her children, old Tom his wife
and children, Mathew and Enoch, which said negro
named Enoch I have delivered into the possession of
said Anthony Rutgers in the names of all the others,

Colonial Times and Later 353

To have and to hold the negro men, negro women and
children aforesaid unto the said Anthony Rutgers his
heirs and assigns forever. In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal in the City of New
York, the eighth day of June in the year of our Lord,
1789 "
Sealed and delivered in presence \

John Van Deusen, > Anthony Hoffman.

Richard Husted. )

Here is a short deed of manumission :

"To whom these presents shall come know ye that
I, Philip J. Schuyler, of the Town of Rhinebeck, in the
County of Dutchess and State of New York, do hereby
manumit and set free Chalk, a blackman. As witness
my hand this 19th day of April, 1811.

Philip J. Schuyler.

Witness present Henry Shop."

Many now living- remember old L/ydia John-
son. She was several years over one hundred
at the time of her death. A remarkable
woman, well liked by all, and called " Aunt
Lyd." Her exact age cannot be ascertained
from the town record ; it can be, however,
within twenty-seven years. There is a law of
the State of New York passed in 1801, in
relation to slaves and servants, providing for
the emancipation of slaves, under certain con-
ditions, between the ages of eighteen and
forty- five. This document was made pur-
suant to this law :

" We whose names are hereunto subscribed, Over-

354 Historic Old Rhinebeck

seers of the Poor of the town of Rhinebeck, being
applied to to examine into the age and ability of a
female slave Lydia, owned by Henry B. Livingston, do
hereby certify that upon due examination of her, the
said Lydia, that she is under the age of forty-five
years, and of sufficient ability to provide for herself.
Given under our hands in the town of Rhinebeck,
county of Dutchess and State of New York, this
Twenty-first day of September, 1818."

(Signed) Jacob Schultz, ) Poor
Garrett Van Wagenen \ Masters.

Then follows this certificate :
" I hereby certify to all whom it may concern that
by this instrument, and with the consent of the Poor-
masters of this town, that I do emancipate my negro
woman slave Lydia, Liddy or Lill, and discharge her
from all further service. Given under my hand in the
town of Rhinebeck, Oct. 5th, 1818.

(Signed) Henry B. Livingston.

Entered on record this 5th day of October, 1818.
Henry F. Tallmadge,
Town Clerk."

Had Lydia been of the full age of forty-five
years in 1818, she, of course, would, in 1874,
have been one hundred and one 3^ears old.
How much under that age she then was cannot
be said, hut from the number of children she
then had she could not have been far from
forty-five years of age at that date. This
writer knew her in the early seventies when
she must have reached the century mark.
She was a bright, happy, hard - working

Colonial Times and Later 355

woman until the last. Had a pleasant word
for everyone. Her son, William J. Johnson,
is still living, and is over seventy-five years
of age.

Slavery in "ye olde town " was devoid of its
most objectionable features. It was never as
popular as the apprentice or servitude sys-
tem. In 1790 the largest slave holder was
Henry Gr. Livingston, who owned 13 ; the
next four largest slave holders were Andries
Hermanse, Robert Sands, Volkert Whitbeck
and Henry B. Livingston. They each owned
11; Zachariah Hoffman owned 10; Moses
Cantine and David Van Ness each owned 9.
Morgan Lewis, John Stickle and Jeremiah
Van Ocken each owned 8 ; Everardus Bogar-
dus and Johannes Kiersted each owned 7, and
so on through the list.

CHAPTER XVII

RHINEBECK IN WAR TIMES

*' Our country to be cherished in all our hearts, to be
defended by all our hands."

Winthrop.

IT has been said that there were three great
epochs in our country's history in which its
national character was best developed. The
first was the revolution, referred to on pre-
ceding- pages ; that gave birth to a flag of
liberty and a nation of equality. The second
was the Civil war ; that declared for a nation
of loyalty and upheld a flag of unity. The
third was the Spanish- American war, forced
upon the country to help a neighboring, strug-
gling people entitled to its protection by many
ties, and long victims of wrongs and oppres-
sion ; that made a flag of humanity. During
each epoch sons of "ye olde town," native or
adopted, responded nobly to the country's
call. One country, one constitution, one flag,
was cherished in their hearts and defended by
their hands. Loyalty and patriotism to them
have never been unmeaning words.

Repeating Longfellow's lines, in every
crisis :

356

Rhinebeck in War Times

357

"Thou, too, sail on, 0 ship of state !
Sail on, O union, strong and great !
Humanity — with all its fears,
With all the hopes of future years-
Is hanging breathless on thy fate ! "

they have ever been found ready and willing
to perform any required service,

In a sightly and ap-
propriate location be-
tween the two entrances
to Rhinebeck's charming
resting place of the
dead, overlooking the
historic old post road,
and at the southern
gateway to the village,
stands the soldiers' mon-
ument, erected in mem-
ory of the "boys in
blue," who went forth in
1861 and the .years up to
1865, to do battle for the
Union, and to make it
what it now is, strong and great. Parts of
three companies were recruited in the town.
Company C of the One Hundred and Twenty-
eighth Regiment ; Companies F and K of the
One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment. The
following names are credited to Rhinebeck:

358 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Explanation—* Killed in battle ; t wounded ; t Sauls-
bury prison ; § died in hospital.

One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regi-
ment, Company C — Francis S. Keese, cap-
tain ; Howard H. Morse, first lieutenant ;
Charles W. McKown, orderly sergeant; J.
Howard Asher,f second sergeant ; John W.
Keese, fourth sergeant ; George Tremper,
second corporal ; Frank W. Rikert,J. third
corporal ; Derrick Brown, fifth corporal ;
Clement R, Dean, sixth corporal; David
H. Hanabergh4 eighth corporal. Privates-
James. M. Braley,t John W. Kip,§ Lemuel
Marquart, George W. Hamilton,! John H.
Van Etten, Charles Rynders, Martin V. B0
Hawkins, William H. Hawkins, James A.
Fraleigh,f John W. Myers, f Calvin Rikert,
William A. Noxon,§ John Gay, Edward F.
Tater, Evert Traver, Charles W. Marquart, f
Albert Ostrom, Robert P. Churchill,* Jasper
De Wint,§ Charles Wooden,} Patrick Lyden,
Robert H. Hayner,§ Benjamin H. Brown,
Peter Scally, John E. Cole, Nathan Day,
Robert Riseley, James L. H. Holdrige, James
K. Brown, William B. Brown,} Joseph
Brown.*

One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment,
Company F — John L. Green, captain ; Isaac
F. Smith,* corporal ; Elias A. Briggs, cor-

Rhinebeck in War Times 359

poral ; James M. Sneak, corporal ; William
T. Francisco, wag-oner. Privates — Philip Bow-
man, Jefferson Champlin, William B. Doyle,
Thomas M. Fraleigh, Joseph La Bonta, John
E. Odell, Stephen H. Rynders, Samuel K.
Rupely, John McKinny. Company G — Ren-
selaer Worden, Alexander Worden,§ Philan-
der Word en, § Walter R. Bush. Company K
— Wade H. Steenburgh, first lieutenant ; A.
Landon Ostrom, first sergeant; Enos B. Sy-
lands, third sergeant; Henry Lamp, fourth
serg-eant ; Jacob Heeb, fifth sergeant ; Benja-
min J. Hevenor, corporal. Privates — Charles
M. Buckland, Leopold Oswold, George W.
Clark, William H. Dederick, John Griner,
Amos T. Lillie, Jacob Miller, De Witt Shaffer,
Charles Wynans, Lawrence O'Brien, Fred-
erick W. Pottenburgh, Stephen R. Tater,
Harvey M. Traver, George A. Wager, § Al-
fred Wooden, George W. Buckmaster. Com-
pany B — William Holdridge, Edward Tater,
Elisha Holdridge, Adam Weishaupt.

Forty-Fourth (People's Elsworth Regi-
ment)— Privates — Jacob Z. Hegeman, Charles
Luff,* William E. Luff, Peter A. Norris,
Samuel Risely, John Raymond, Philip R. Sy-
lands, Stephen Hamilton.

Twentieth Regiment, N. Y. State Militia
— Jacob F. Teal,f Andrew J. Kip, George A.

SGO Historic Old Rhinebeck

Mann, Charles Asher, William Norris, Wil-
liam Rikert, George Traver, Doug-las Mar-
quardt, Thomas Price.*

Other Regiments — Albert Prosius,f Thos.
O'Brien, Alfred Lewis,§ James W. Lewis,§
Abner Proper, Samuel De Wint,§ John De
WTint,§ Andrew Fraleig-h,§ Ambrose Ostrom,
Richard R. Sylands, Georg-e Gay, Jacob
Handschue, David McCarty.

Col. David C. Wager on Gen. Halleck's staff.

THE WAR WITH SPAIN

Soon after the outbreak of the war with
Spain, Ca.pt. F. J. Keenan, U. S. A., came to
Rhinebeck, and held a meeting- in the Town
hall on May 24, 1898. The following- were
enlisted : George L. Williams, John Zaisser,
Alfred Griffith, Wesley A. Mann, Arthur
Merry weather, Charles Holdridg-e, Edward
Casey, Walter Ostrom, Clarence Slauson,
John R. Brig-g-s, Stephen Brigg-s, and assigned
to Battery D, Sixth U. S. Light Artillery.
Frederick Feller, assig-ned to Twenty-first
U. S. Infantry. Paul H. Putzig\ Other
recruits were : Henry Esselstyn (in Astor
Battery), Frank Galvin, Leon Tice, Charles
Fowler, Robert Ostrom, Georg-e Tapping-,
Jacob Brigg-s, Thomas Kennaug-h, Herbert
Eckert.

JRhinebeck in War Times 361

Numerous battles, skirmishes and engage-
ments were experienced by the boys from old
Rhinebeck, as their discharges will show, such
as "Manila," February 4 and 5, 1899; "San
Pedro, Maeati," March 13, 1899; "Cemetery
Hill," February 17 to 20 and March 14; also
"Pasig," from March 14 to 21; "Malolas,"
"Calooeau," "Bag-bag River," "Pasig City,"
"Cavite" and other engagements without
losing one man, although several received
wounds. Comrades and friends fell all about
them, but our boys all returned, some broken
in health, but still able to march to martial
music when they were given a grand recep-
tion by the citizens of Rhinebeck on Monday
evening, August 28, 1899 ; the entire fire
department, with T. A. Traver as grand
marshal, paraded. We are indebted to George
L. Williams, the leader of the Rhinebeck
boys, for this data.

GRAND ARMY POST

Armstrong Post No. 104, G. A. R., is an
effective organization of veterans of the Civil
war. Comrade A. C. McCurdy is commander
and Comrade Benjamin H. Brown adjutant.
It holds regular meetings, and provides for
the proper observance of Memorial day. The
following is a list of present members : Wil-

362 Historic Old Rhinebeck

liam B. Brown, James K. Brown, Frederick
Bauman, B. N. Baker, Edward Delemater,
Peter Funk, John H. Hager, Charles Lewis,
Douglas Marquardt, Charles March, Augus-
tus McCurdy, Frederick Obermier, A. L. Os-
trom, Calvin Rikert, F. Rikert, R. E. Stickle,
George Tremper, Joseph Toneu, R. C. Wor-
den, Henry M. Ackert, B. H. Brown, Le
Grand Graham, V. D. Lake, Henry Miller,
S. B. Roome, C. A. Nichols, J. H. Asher, S.
R. Tator, M. Joyce, William E. Luff, Wil-
liam Pottenburgh, George Ellsworth, Myron
Horton.

Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-
eighth regiment holds annual reunions, which
are well attended by the comrades.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE CEMETERY

" Give me possession of a burying-place with you, that
I may bury my dead out of sight."

Genesis xxiii 4.

THE first grant of land for burial purposes
on "the flatts" was made by Col. Henry
Beekman on the 26th day of August, 1730.
The plot was adjacent to the " Old Dutch
Church." On the 3d day of March, 1822, the
Methodist church received from Mrs. Janet
Livingston-Montgomery, through Miss Mary
Garrettson, title to land where the church
now stands, and a burying ground was made
back of the church. On June 30, 1832, Mrs.
Catherine Garrettson presented a half acre of
ground for burial purposes, south and east of
Landsman kill, and a few feet west of the
post road, on condition that the church
trustees " surround it with a good fence and
permit no more interments in the ground
attached to the church." The deed for this
ground bears date the 27th day of March,
1835. On the 19th day of February, 1856,
Miss Mary Garrettson gave five acres adjoin-
ing for an addition to the cemetery, and thus
363

364 Historic Old Ehinebeck

enlarged it was designated as the "Rhine-
beck Cemetery of the Methodist Episcopal
Church." On the 28th day of December, 1823,
Mrs. Janet Livingston-Montgomery gave a
lot on the post road north of the turnpike for
a Baptist church, and afterwards some inter-
ments were made on this lot.

The village was incorporated on the 23d
day of April, 1834, and in 1845, by an ordi-
nance, prohibited burials in these cemeteries
adjacent to the churches. At that time a
prominent, public-spirited citizen, Mr. Henry
De Lamater, interested himself in establish-
ing a new cemetery. He selected the grounds
on the post road south of Landsman's kill and
overlooking it. He devoted much time and
considerable means to the undertaking. He
is entitled to credit as the projector of the
present "Rhinebeck Cemetery."

The Episcopal church received a grant of
five acres from Mr. Lewis Livingston in 1871
for burial purposes. This land was south and
west of the Methodist cemetery and adjoined
it. On the 27th day of August, 1853, Miss
Mary Garrettson gave a half acre of ground
for a cemetery for the "people of color."
This ground was west of the De Lamater pur-
chase, and reached through it. All these
acres are now in one cemetery under one

The Cemetery 365

management. Additional ground on the post
road, south of the first gate, has also been
acquired. The whole is now a union ceme-
tery, and bears the name of "Rhinebeck."
It is non-sectarian.

It is a lovely spot for a cemetery, well
located, amid rural surroundings, and easily
accessible. It makes an idealistic resting-
place for the dead, certain never to be wan-
tonly disturbed by the hand of man or other-
wise diverted from the sacred use to which it
is now consecrated. Its knolls command long-
stretches of charming- scenery. Its dells are
alluring-. The Landsman's kill, a rippling
stream, runs merril}7 below it. The site is
admirable. Over one thousand dead are rest-
ing- there. It is the Mecca of many a pil-
grimage. Thousands of dollars have been
expended in memorial work and beautifying
the grounds. Good taste is everywhere ap-
parent. Time will by natural law add to its
attractiveness. Death is stripped of many of
its pangs when it brings all that is mortal to
rest amid such surroundings. The noise, bustle
and confusion incident to city life, with possi-
ble disturbance or encroachment to meet the
demand's of a metropolis with its great popu-
lation are not to be feared. Here the dead
will sleep in peace.

366 Historic Old Rhinebeck

On the 3d day of November, 1883, the
" Rhinebeck Cemetery Association " was duly
incorporated. It is managed by a board of
trustees. The lots are laid out sixteen feet
square. Larger lots can be purchased. In
developing- these grounds credit must be given
to Simon Welch, Edwin Hill, Virgil C. Tra-
ver, William Carrol], and the present faithful
superintendent, William Thomson.

The cemetery belongs to the plot owners,
each one of whom is entitled to a voice in its
management and control. It is in every
sense a practical, earnest effort to supplement
the beautiful homes of the locality with a cor-
responding resting place for the dead. Every
dollar received is used frugally for the en-
largement, management or improvement of
the grounds. Its lands are exempt from tax-
ation. The plots cannot be sold upon execu-
tion for debt issued against the plot owner.
The plots become absolutely inalienable after
a burial is made in them, except with the con-
sent and upon an order issued by the Supreme
Court. The humane policy of the law pro-
vides that the repose of the dead shall not be
disturbed by hungry greed or by cruel mis-
fortune.

Somewhere the early settlers buried loved
ones. Succeeding generations are doing the

The Cemetery 367

same. " Where are our dead ? " The sons and
daughters of the present should know. Can
they locate graves? Some may he in the
"Kerk Hof," near the entrance to the Holi-
day farm on the river ; others may repose in
the old German yard at Kirchehoek ; others
still in the forgotten Fraleigh ground on the
post road. Then there is the old Dutch cem-
etery, the Methodist back of the church, and
the graves on the Baptist church lot; all in
the village proper. These, with the Stone
church, Wurtemburgh and Rhinebeck ceme-
teries, hold the dead of "ye olcle town " for
more than two centuries. In these grounds
repose pioneers, soldiers, statesmen, scholars,
merchants, inventors, mechanics, farmers ;
men and women who were, in their day,
active in all the affairs of life. The senti-
ment of the twentieth century demands for
the departed a convenient depositor, made
beautiful and attractive, a pleasant spot to
visit, and what was once a country grave-
yard becomes a carefully supervised ceme-
tery. How reminiscent to find recorded in
marble the names of parents and children
from the earliest clays. The shafts, the cubes,
the slabs, the sculpture, the vaults, the
graves, are not only historical reminders of
persons and dates, but we frequently find "a

368 Historic Old Rhinebeck

sermon in stone " more expressive than words
and more eloquent than speech, that attracts
the eye and inspires the soul.

The "Rhinebeck Cemetery Association"
has for its officers the following- well-known
citizens of the town: Trustees, 1908 — George
Esselstyn, William Thomson, Dr. Benjamin
N. Baker, John D. Judson, Martin Heer-
mance, Wesley I. Miller, M. V. B. Schryver,
F. G. Cotting, William R. Carroll, O. E.
Cookingham, William H. Judson, Dr. C. S.
Van Etten, A. Lee Wager, Dr. J. F. Goodell.
Officers — Dr. Benjamin N. Baker, president;
A. Lee Wager, vice-president ; William Thom-
son, secretary and treasurer; Wm. Thomson,
superintendent ; Wesley I. Miller, assistant.
Executive committee — Dr. Benjamin N. Ba-
ker, A. Lee Wager, George Esselstyn, W.
H. Judson, W. R. Carroll. The officers give
personal attention to cemetery affairs.

The trustees have made suitable provision
for the care of lots at a reasonable expense.
The superintendent and his assistants are
competent to do the required work. It should
be the pride, as it is the sacred duty, of the
living relatives of the dear ones buried there
to assist these officers to the extent of their
ability. The cemetery association has no reg-
ular income, but depends entirely upon the

The Cemetery 369

voluntary contributions of the lot owners to
make all needed improvements, as well as to
take proper care of the grounds.

A receiving- vault was built in 1898 at a
cost of $950. Interments in this vault are
subject to a charge of $5 ; bodies to be re-
moved from vault prior to May each year.

Annual meetings of the board of trustees
are held on the first Saturday in November
at three o'clock p.m.

The cemetery association is authorized by
law to receive gifts or bequests for the pur-
pose of applying the income thereof to the
preservation or renewal of any improvements
which may be made on lots, or to the embel-
lishment of the general cemetery grounds.
To the very natural wish that one's own
place of final repose should ever be decent
and respectable, a still stronger motive is
added by a regard for the memory of others.
Hence, the need of proper and certain pro-
vision to that end.

Any inquiry in regard to pertinent matters
addressed to the secretary of the association
receives prompt attention. This is also true
in connection with the "Old Dutch," Stone
Church and Wurtemburgh cemeteries, except
the inquiry should be made of the pastor, who
wull refer it to the proper officer.

CHAPTER XIX

RHINECLIFF

" They have their exits and their entrances."

Adapted.

ENTRANCE to "ye olde town," and, as for
that matter, the exit too, is the depot of
the New York Central and Hudson River
railroad and the town dock adjacent. This is
the landing" of the Rhinebeck and Kingston
ferry, and occasionally a steamboat stops at
the dock. Prior to 1852 it was the Schatzel
farm and dock. It is mainly on the Artsen or
Van Wagenen lot, No. 6, in the partition
made by the five partners, as shown on page
13. The railroad is less than two miles from
Rhinebeck village. This depot is about three
miles away.

When the question of location of the rail-
road depot was under consideration, Charles
H. Russell, a director of the company, bought
the Schatzel property, and the depot was
established where it now is. This necessitated
a change of the ferry landing. Then Mr. Rus-
sell had a vision of a city springing up around
the station. He mapped the land accordingly.
It was at the start known as Schatzelville,
370

Rhinecliff 371

but James Boorman was president of the rail-
road company, which was then simply the
Hudson river railroad company, and ib was
deemed wise to call the place "Boormanville."
This would not stick, and for a long- time it
was designated as Rhinebeck station, with
the words "ferry to Rondout and Kingston "
added for information in the printed matter
of the company.

An enterprising architect and builder,
George Veitch, located in the town about the
time the railroad was opened for travel, and
Mr. Russell interested him in the depot and
embryo cit}^ venture. He bought a lot on
what he called " the cliff," and erected a dwell-
ing there. He located, designed and built the
hotel now there. Some lots were sold and
houses erected lor the accommodation of rail-
road employees. Capt. B. F. Schultz of the
ferry, Isaac F. Russell, the railroad agent ;
Samuel Hester, the freight agent, and others
entered into the spirit of the enterprise, and
the boom had a fair start. Natural condi-
tions, however, proved «a barrier.

Mr. Veitch, who was the master mind at
this time, did not like the name "Boorman-
ville." He thought perhaps there might be
something in a name, and after wrestling with
the problem for a year or more he solved it,

372 Historic Old Rhinebeck

as he thought, by striking the "beck" off of
Rhinebeck and adding "cliff" in its place,
making the incongruous name of " Rhinecliff "
apply to a railway station on the Hudson river
shore. It was a misnomer. East Rondout
would have been more appropriate. It is
opposite that place, and that fact might have
served as a reason. There is none for Rhine-
cliff. " It makes me laugh," said Wm. Kelly.

For twenty-five years or more the railroad
company ignored this appellation, and con-
tinued to call this station Rhinebeck. The
day boats did the same. The historic old
town having a name with a reason for it,
going back for two hundred years, was re-
spected and recognized. Now it is no longer
placed on the railroad time-table or the river
map. This ought not to be so.

Rhinecliff never met the expectations of
Mr. Russell or Mr. Veitch. They labored
without avail. It is a small hamlet of about
two hundred and fifty people. It has a local
postofifice. Rev. Michael Scully in his life-
time did much towards the upbuilding of the
locality. His enterprise was considerable.
Upon his death most of his projects were aban-
doned. It is now only the railroad entrance
to Linwood, Ellerslie, Ferncliff, and the
village of Rhinebeck. It contains three

>l

"I

Rhinecliff 373

churches, Catholic, Methodist and Episco-
pal. It has a fine school ; it is district No.
2 of the town. Gov. Morton and Col. Astor
have kept the roads to the depot in fair con-
dition. There are two or three stores, a good
hotel and the usual accompaniments of a
railroad station. Kingston Point and the
West Shore railroad have shorn it of much of
its early prestige. North and south there are
scattered homes of families attending church
there. Stages connect with Rhinebeck village
nearly three miles beyond.

Its prominent residents are Rev. M. F.
Ay 1 ward, W. B. Noxon, H. H. Pearson, T.
E. Hester, G. W. Cutler, F. J. Cornwell, J.
S. Merritt, R. B. Schultz, Daniel O'Connell,
R. Beach, R. C. Champlin.

THE MEMORIAL BUILDING

The only public building in Rhinecliff is
known as the Memorial building, erected by
Mr. Levi P. Morton as a memorial to his
deceased daughter. It is a spacious structure.
Has all modern and requisite facilities for the
purposes to which it is devoted. A good
library, a reading room, an auditorium. It
has two departments, one for men, another
for women. Clubs for men, women and boys
have been organized. No pains are spared to

374 Historic Old Rhinebeck

interest one and all in this laudable undertak-
ing- for the betterment of local conditions and
the improvement of members. Mr. and Mrs.
William W. Hughes are in charge of the
building, and supervise the work with ability
and good judgment.

There is a great need in small hamlets of a
place where young people can meet— where
the environments are uplifting — and the Me-
morial building is supplying this need in
Rhinecliff. As time goes on the influences
going out from this building should result in
truer and nobler manhood and womanhood.

Gov. Morton has done much for the locality
in other ways, especially in the line of good
roads. The Episcopal Church of the Ascen-
sion enjoys the favor of his family. On page
193 we find ourselves in error as to the donor
of the Morton church organ to the Church of
the Messiah in the village. It was the sister,
Miss Morton, and not the parents, who was
the donor.

st. Joseph's cemetery

There is also a large cemetery, well located
and managed, at Rhinecliff, established in
connection with St. Joseph's Catholic church,
where for a quarter of a century interments
have been made.

CHAPTER XX

THE FRATERNITIES

" Bright firesides, warm palms, and loving hearts,
They are the fragrance of the rose of life ;
The worth that must abide — ideal made real,
In fraternity's bond united."

Newton.

THE world is better because side by side
with the school house and the church
fraternal societies have labored to add to our
comfort and happiness by enabling* us better
to appreciate and enjoy our natural liberties.

Fraternity develops a loyalty and conser-
vatism which dwells in the hearts of men,
delves in the mines, toils in the workshops,
gleans in the harvest, shines in the profession,
traverses the rivers and seas, and supplies
mankind with its charity, its benevolence and
its worth. Fraternity is the union of hearts,
hands and heads for beneficial purposes.

The first fraternal society in "ye olde
town " was a Masonic lodge. It came soon
after the revolution, and was named ' ' Mont-
gomery." Gen. Lewis, Dr, Tillotson, Bo-
gardus, Kiersted, Radcliffe, Livingston, Pot-
ter and others of the early days were Masons.
375

376 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Stephen McCarty, a member of this lodge, in
his old age united with Rhinebeck No. 432.
Koert Du Bois, John Cox, Jr., Isaac F. Rus-
sell and Stephen Jennings are also recalled as
members of the old lodge. This lodge at first
held its meetings in the "old hotel," and later
had a lodge room in Kip's tavern, or Tam-
many Hall, as it was known. During the anti-
Masonic crusade of 1827-37 it passed out of
existence.

ODD FELLOWS

Some years later the Odd Fellows came.
In the summer of 1845 Rhinebeck contained
three Odd Fellows. Ambrose Wager, then a
young man, a rising, talented, ambitious,
respected lawyer w^ho rapidly advanced to
first place at the bar, was several times
supervisor of the town, twice a member of
the State Legislature, and once the candidate
of his party for representative in Congress.
Woodward Frisbee and Jacob M. Hogan,
then active, enterprising young business men,
and earnest Odd Fellows interested in extend-
ing the institution and giving others an oppor-
tunity to unite with the order. Wager,.
Frisbee and Hogan founded Rhinebeck Lodge
No. 162. Mr. Wager was its first N. G., Mr.
Frisbee V. G., and Mr. Hogan its treasurer.

The Fraternities 377

At the first meeting of the lodge, held on the
afternoon of July 16, 1845, Cyrus B. Morse,
Edward Holdridge and Hiram T. Van Keuren
were initiated, and Mr. Holdridge was elected
secretary. From this beginning the lodge
grew and prospered, Its initiates came from
Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Milan, Pine Plains,
Clinton and Hyde Park. Fully one thousand
members have been added to the order be-
cause of the organization of Rhinebeck
lodge.

The lodge is now cosily housed in a large
hall with convenient ante-rooms on the third
floor of the Hamlin building on East Market
street. It has a history. It has been over
sixty years in the making. It has held over
three thousand meetings. It has buried over
one hundred and fifty of its members. It
counts its fraternal visitations to sick brothers
by the thousands. Its friendly hand, laden
with relief, has been open at all times in the
hour of necessity. It has never failed to
answer the sign of distress, and the cardinal
principles of the order— visit the sick, bury
the dead, educate the orphan, protect the
widow — have never had anywhere more loyal
and faithful exponents than the brothers of
Rhinebeck Lodge No. 162.

This lodge is a flourishing organization

378 Historic Old Bhinebeck

to-day. In 1895 it celebrated its fiftieth anni-
versary. It was a memorable occasion. The
officers of the grand lodge attended. Past
Grands James C. McCarty and William S.
Myers, made members in 1845, were present ;
also Past Grands Alonzo C. Noxon, James H.
Kipp, John W. Fulmer, Daniel H. Guilfoil,
Elmore Rikert, Jacob H. Pottenburgh, Nel-
son Traver, James H. Snyder, William C.
Ackert, and others on the half century list.
Past Grand Howard H. Morse, son of the
first initiate, delivered the historical address.
The lodge holds weekly meetings every Mon-
day evening. It owns a fine piece of real
estate, a three -story brick structure opposite,
which it hopes to turn into an " Odd Fellows'
hall" in the future. It now numbers over two
hundred members. Jazar Encampment is a
separate branch of the order. A. M. Quick,
Louis Rosenkranz, M. H. Traver, O. V.
Moeslin, J. C. Milroy, W. L. Allen, W. R.
Carroll, John H. Brown, Edwin Y. Marquardt,
Lee Van Vredenburg, Ernest Steenbergh, are
active workers in the order.

MASONS

Rhinebeck Lodge, No. 432, F. and A. M.,
was organized on the 9th day of July, 1857.
The charter members were Smith Quick,

The Fraternities 379

James Hogan, De Witt C. Marshall, Richard
R. Sy lands, Ambrose Wager and Henry M.
Taylor. Among- its earliest members are the
names of Isaac F. Russell, Cyrus B. Morse,
Albert A. Rider, Horatio Fovvkes, Homer
Gray, Robert J. L. Marshall, William Carroll,
John D. Judson, Henry Latson, George Lor-
illard, Hiram T. Van Keuren, John W.
Moore, Martin Freleigh, M.D., and others.
Its W. M's were Smith Quick, Homer Gray,
R. J. L. Marshall, William M. Sayre, James
C. McCarty, George Esselstyn, Virgil C.
Traver, M. H. Wygant, Martin Heermance,
A. Lee Wager, James M. De Garmo, Frank
Cramer, William A. Tripp, William C.
Ackert, and the present incumbent, R. Ray-
mond Rikert. The lodge celebrated its fif-
tieth anniversary on the 9th of July, 1907,
and its first W. M., Smith Quick, then over
eighty years of age, presided. It has over one
hundred members, representative business
men of the locality. Holds regular com-
munications every Friday evening at 8 o'clock
in Masonic hall, except between the second
week in June and the third week in Sep-
tember.

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY

This is a strong co-operative society. Most

380 Historic Old Rhinebeck

of its members are farmers, or engaged in
vegetable, fruit or flower culture. Men and
women are admitted. There are over thirty
thousand subordinate granges. It favors
postal savings banks, pure food laws, regula-
tion of corporations, parcel post, anti-trust
laws, good roads, etc.

Rhinebeck Grange No. 896 was organized
in November, 1900. It has over sevent37-flve
members. Charles R. Traver, T. S. Barnes,
Miss A. H. Lambert, J. D. Lown, W. R.
Tremper, C. E. Wynkoop, Seymour Smith,
are leading members. It is a power in many
ways, and its possibilities are far-reaching.

OTHER SOCIETIES

There is a council of the Royal Arcanum, a
strong insurance society. Its number is 1999.

There is a branch of the National Protec-
tive Legion, a benefit society. Its number
is 730.

SOCIETY FOR THE DETECTION OF HORSE THIEVES

The Rhinebeck, Clinton, and Hyde Park
Society for the Detection of Horse Thieves
was organized prior to 1860. The earliest
record now at hand states that Jacob H.
Ackert was president, Philip H. Moore, vice-
president ; John H. Traver, secretary, and

The Fraternities 381

Ephriam W. Pultz, treasurer, and that then
there were one hundred and five members
enrolled. The society holds its annual meet-
ing- on the 1st day of January, unless that
day comes on Sunday, when it is held on the
second day. The funds are obtained by lining'
the members twenty-five cents for non-
attendance. In case a horse is stolen, riders
are appointed to scour the country to find it,
if possible. In case the horse is not recov-
ered the owner is paid its value from the
funds of the society. For over forty-two
years only one horse belonging to a member
of the society has been stolen, and that was
recovered. The society now numbers ninety-
seven members. R. M. Green served as sec-
retary for thirty -seven years. George H.
Shultz, the present treasurer, has served in
that capacity for twenty -five years. The
societ3^ has about five hundred dollars in the
treasury at present. The officers for 1908 are :
J. D. Lown, president; Frank Lown, vice-
president ; Charles R. Traver, secretary ; G.
H. Shultz, treasurer.

farmers' town mutual insurance com-
pany OF RHINEBECK

Another noteworthy organization of the
town is the Farmers' Town Mutual Insurance

382 Historic Old Ehinebeck

Company. Organized in 1880, with about
thirty members and $100,000 insurance in
force, it has steadily gained in favor and
strength, until now it has one hundred and
twenty members and $300,000 insurance in
force. Over four-fifths of the farmers of the
town belong to the organization. During the
twenty-eight years of its existence it has
had only three assessments. But one building
insured in the company has up to the present
been destroyed, and that by lightning. The
working officers are : Robert M. Greene, pres-
ident ; Charles R. Traver, secretary ; Henry
J. Lown, treasurer. These with John P. Her-
mans, Mandeville S. Frost, Alveron C. Mar-
quet, Jacob Class, William Edgar Ackert, V.
S., and William H. Cramer, constitute the
board of directors at the present time. Its
first board of directors was as follows :
Philip H. Moore, Alfred Moore, Hiram A.
Pultz, Michael Traver, Frederick Cotting,
Albert G. Traver, Samuel Ten Broeck, David
H. Schryver, Robert M. Greene.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS

Rhinebeck Lodge, No. 345, Knights of
Pythias, was instituted June 29, 1893, with
an enrollment of thirty-four charter mem-
bers, a dispensation having been granted by

The Fraternities 383

Grand Chancellor William Ladew, May 19,
1893. The instituting officers were : grand
chancellor, William Laclew ; supreme repre-
sentative, Aaron B. Gardenier ; State deputy,
David J. Auchmoody ; deputy grand chan-
cellor, C. W. N. Arnold. George Esselstyn
was elected its first chancellor commander,
A. M. Quick, vice-chancellor, and E. Holley,
Jr., the first representative to the grand
lodge. At the time of its institution Rhine-
beck lodge was assigned to the 43d district.
It is now in the 13th district. George C.
Lang of Rhinebeck lodge is the present
deput}7 grand chancellor of this district.

Throughout its entire career this lodge has
maintained a policy of conservatism estab-
lished at the outset. It has enjoyed a steady
and wholesome growth, and has now a mem-
bership of 103, and a reserve fund of nearly
twenty-five hundred dollars in its exchequer.
Upon its roster are found the names of many
representative citizens, prominent in the
various walks of life.

Being an order founded on the principles of
friendship, charity and benevolence, its benefi-
cent influences are recognized on every hand,
and by the exercise of these virtues it has
won for itself a prominent place among the
various humanizing agencies of the com-

384 Historic Old Rhinebeck

munity, striving for the elevation, the better-
ment and happiness of mankind. The present
officers of the lodge are : chancellor com-
mander, H. A. Burger; vice-chancellor, G.
C. Lang; prelate, M. W. Traver; keeper of
record and seal, Piatt V. Gray ; master of
finance, M. J. Dederick ; master of work,'
William M. Sleight; master of exchequer,
Stanton Rockfeller.

BLITHEWOOD LIGHT INFANTRY — COMPANY B

The Blithewood Light Infantry is a military
organization of young men of the town,
supported and drilled by Capt. Andrew C.
Zabriskie. The Rhinebeck company is desig-
nated "B," and it has some sixty members.
Its officers are : first lieutenant, Harr}7 Sims ;
second lieutenant, Charles H. Coonrod ; first
sergeant, W. W. Brundage ; quartermaster
sergeant, Charles Suckow ; sergeants —
Chester Haen, Lee Stickles; corporals — James
Kearns, Jr., Edward Forbes, Harry Shook.
A store on West Market street has been
rented as headquarters for the company, and
two drills are held each wreek, one indoors
with guns and the other movements outside.
The members are appropriately uniformed
and supplied with new Springfield U. S. Cadet
magazine rifles. The benefits to be derived

The Fraternities 385

from such an organization are far-reaching-.
Capt. Zabriskie is engaged in a commendable
undertaking, and his public spirit cannot fail
to be appreciated by the young men he com-
mands and citizens of "ye olde town" he
benefits. A fife and drum corps, with about
thirty members, is attached to the company.
This corps is also properly uniformed and
furnished with the best instruments for use ;
it is under the direction of an able instructor.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

The village is favored with a well-organized
and officered fire department. This, with an
adequate water supply, supplemented with
hydrant facilities for its delivery and use, the
pressure being sufficient to carry the water
over the highest building, assures proper fire
protection. In addition there is the old and
reliable hand engine "Pocahontas," of well-
deserved fame ; a steamer, a hook-and-ladder
outfit and hose jumpers. For parade pur-
poses there is a superb hose carriage. The
hose company formerly bore the name of
"Walter W. Schell." It is now "Henry S.
Kip." The officers of the department for
1908 are : Augustus M. Quick, chief engineer;
Charles Heeb, first assistant ; N. Noraby,
second assistant; William H. Judson, captain

386 Historic Old Rhinebeck

hook and ladder and engine company ; James
Newman, foreman hose company ; Edward
Casey, foreman steamer. Fireman's hall is
fitted up and well furnished for the use of the
fire laddies. It is a popular resort. In the
social life of the town the companies play an
important part. Fairs, balls, entertainments,
are given from time to time, and the " home
day" gatherings and exercises under the
auspices of the department in 1904 and 1908
will be long remembered as enjoyable events.

ladies' auxiliaries

There are no local fraternities like the
"Eastern Star" for Masons' wives, daugh-
ters, etc., or the "Rebeccas" for Odd Fel-
lows, or Pythian sisterhood for the Knights.
There are one or two societies that admit
women as members. The women, however,
are first and foremost on occasions when their
helping hand is needed, and they organize,
appoint officers and committees, and do their
full share in making a success of affairs under
the auspices of the several societies.

CHAPTER XXI

VIOLETS

" Weep no more, nor sigh, nor groan,
Sorrow calls no time that's gone ;
Violets plucked, the sweetest rain
Makes not fresh nor grow again."

Fletcher.

VIOLET culture is a business. The crop is
worth more than $1,000,000 a year.
Only the rose, carnation and chrysanthemum
outrank it among* florists' greenhouse pro-
ducts. In two decades Rhinebeck has become
known far and wide as the violet town. Here
it is certainly a business. It owes this condi-
tion to George Saltford, who came to "ye
olde town " in the eighties. He understood
violet culture and inaugurated it on practical
lines. His success was marked from the start.
One-fourth of the yearly crop now goes to
market from Rhinebeck. It is said that
$250,000 was brought into the town from
violets this year (1907-8). Violet houses in
some parts of the village are almost as numer-
ous as dwellings. The outskirts, north, south,
east, and west, are dotted with them. Violet
culture has become epidemic. It is very prof-
387

388 Historic Old Rhinebeck

itable. A single crop in the early years of
the industry often paid the cost of the house
three or four times over.

Nearly one hundred persons now own violet
houses ; several possess two or more houses.
A house holds over five thousand plants. Ten
thousand flowers a week is an ordinary yield.
Walking* through the village streets the glass
roofs in the back yards present to the eye a
queer appearance. There are many " glass
houses," and therefore very little throwing of
stones. The adage is observed.

The standard violet house is one hundred
and fifty feet long and twenty to twenty-four
feet wide, with a low-pitched roof of glass
like any greenhouse. A small shed is built
across the end. Here the packing is done.
At one end of the shed, and usually at a lower
level, are the heater and coal bin. Pipes
from the boiler run around the walls and a
couple go down the middle of the house. Two
aisles a foot or two deep separate the three
beds by just space enough to walk in. Every
possible inch of surface is planted. About
twenty tons of coal will keep such a house in
proper temperature, which must not exceed
60 degrees in the day time, and it can run
down to 40 degrees at night, for the season.

The houses are usually well built ; so simple

Violets 389

is the plan that any man can build one with
the local carpenter's help. Frames for the
glass are reasonable in price in standard
greenhouse sizes. The owner is often his own
painter, glazier and even plumber and steam-
fitter. The piping is done with cheap boiler
tubing. Having installed a boiler and stocked
a house with plants, zeal for expansion fol-
lows. The same boiler will heat two or three
houses as well as one. Cuttings are easily
provided. The trebling of the capacity of
the establishment does not multiply the ex-
pense nor the care by three. The tempta-
tion to enlarge is generally irresistible. The
supply is never equal to the demand.

Winter is the violet raiser's busy season.
The plants bloom for seven months steadily,
from September till May. Picking is a con-
stant occupation. The beds are picked in reg-
ular sequence. It is wasteful to let a plant
go a week unpicked unless the weather has
been unfavorable. On such days the plants
stand still. An average plant yields sixty
blossoms in a season. Many approach one
hundred. The best growers are those who
make the culture a study. There is much to
learn. Few knowT it all.

This industry began in 1890, and to-da}7 the
growers own approximately 450,000 square

390 Historic Old Ehinebeck

feet of glass. Under these roofs 1,000,000
plants are grown, which represent an annual
income of over $200,000 for a season's pro-
duction. There is money in it ; not easy but
sure.

Picking violets may be a picturesque and
poetical occupation in woodland glades in the
sweet spring time, bat in winter in the violet
house it is a prosaic and wearisome business,
the most exacting in the whole round of the
grower's varied program. At corn husking a
man is on his feet and can exert his muscular
force effectively. Here it must be restrained.
A violet plant must be treated tenderly. The
flowers must be chosen with intelligence. The
bud is a bud, no matter how large, until the
recurving of the outer petals entirely con-
ceals the green disk. All buds and discolored
or imperfect flowers are left by the picker.

The beds are six to eight feet wide, with the
aisle on one side. Picking from the aisle
there are four rows to do. This means a
reach of about a yard and a stoop that is
backbreaking to the beginner. The shallow
beds are, of course, the worst. Picking the
outer rows, the picking board is required.
The picker may lie on it at full length, but it
is not at all like a hammock It is a narrow
plank hooked by curved iron straps over a

Violets 391

heating- pipe. Wooden cleats secure it to the
frame of the bed at the aisle. The positions
the picker can assume are not many. Some
may be less uncomfortable than others. One
rule is fixed— the picker must not roll off.
Boys become expert pickers. They get used
to the board. Women and girls help in the
rush season, but the work is too hard for
them. The stooping and the twisting are
painful, wearisome operations.

Towards the last comes the picking of the
leaves. They are heaped on a table before
the "leafers," who receive the bunches from
the tank. The flowers have freshened won-
derfully in the short time since they left the
warm hand of the picker. The string is
loosened, and a row of overlapping leaves
soon form a frill around the bunch. A coil of
the string around each two or three leaves
keeps them in place. The ends are securely
tied and the stems wrapped in tinfoil.

There is one sought-for violet grown in
Rhinebeck. That is the Marie Louise, a
thrifty double flower with luxuriant, lustrous
foliage, long stems and deep, even color. It
is the violet the New York market prefers.

While shipments are made as early as the
middle of September, the better stock comes
for Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays,

392 Historic Old Rhinebeck

when spending- money is plenty. The flowers
get finer with every picking' until about the
last of February, which is the zenith of the
vigor and productivity of the plants.

The well-being of the plants is the first con-
cern of the cultivators the year round. They
must be "cleaned" vigilantly in and out of
season. In the midst of the harvest season
boys follow the pickers. They take out
blasted buds, broken stems, "false leaves"
(little malformed ones), over-ripe flowers and
unhealthy leaves. In short, any member
showing a blemish or any lack of vitality is
removed. The amount of waste that the beds
3rield to these keen-eyed collectors is past
belief, and the energy added to the plants is
astonishing.

Rhinebeckers have accepted a formula for
violet culture, and they are not afraid of hard
work, but over-confidence in a formula should
not prevent that serious study on broader
lines that alone can make success permanent.
There is always room for improvement.

There is a noon express for New York which
the violet growers very generally patronize.
The express wagon starts for the depot about
an hour before train time. So the picking
and packing for this train must be done by
eleven o'clock. The flowers are fresher and

SHIPPING VIOLETS AT VILLAGE EXPRESS OFFICE IN BUSY
SEASON

Violets 393

more fragrant for the morning picking-, and
have better keeping qualities. It is said that
the lazy man waives these considerations,
preferring to pick the day before and leave
the bunches over night in the tank.

Easter is the end of the violet season. The
plants then have exhausted their powers.
For months runners have seized the space
between the rows, and the bed has become a
solid mass of plants. The next step is all-
important. Cuttings are to be made for next
year's crop. Only the youngest, tenderest
shoots are selected. Their tops are pruned to
two or three leaves. If a root is started it is
pinched off. These tender cuttings are set
in boxes of clean, sharp sand and watered
freely. They are kept in sheltered places and
covered with newspapers. In four to six
weeks they will be rooted and ready to set in
the new beds.

This culture course from one season to
another, in experienced hands, is a continuous
performance, both pleasant and profitable.
To-day the violet industry is practically the
main source of revenue in the town. It solved
a serious problem at the right time. It should
prove an "open door "to equally good oppor-
tunities.

CHAPTER XXII
who's who and was

" Who that hath ever been
Could bear to be no more?
Yet who would tread again the scene
He trod through life before ? "

Montgomery.

READERS will find in the preceding* pages,
commencing- with the pioneers, Artsen-
Van Wagenen, Roosa-Van Etten, Elton-Du
Bois, Kip-Sleight, with the Heermance, Rad-
clift'e, Van Vredenburg-h, Ostrander, Elmen-
dorf, Schell, De Lamater, Piatt, and other
connections; continuing- with the Beekman-
Living*ston-Tillotson-Lewis - Garrettson - Rut-
sen - Schuyler - Armstrong - Astor alliances;
embracing- in addition the Palatine settlers
and later comers, all that is necessary in the
way of information as to "who that hath
ever been" prominent in "ye olde town."
The "Century Dictionary" says that history
is "a past worthy of record," and Bacon said
its true office is "to represent the events
themselves tog-ether with the counsels, and to
leave the observations and conclusions there-
upon to the liberty and faculty of every man's
394

Who's Who and Was 395

judgment." A history could not be written
without mention of those who played their
part in making- it. So far as possible this has
been done. The names found are of record.
Nearly every pag-e contains one or more; who
they were and what they did is told and
deserved credit given. Every descendant or
relative, direct or remote, of these worthy
sires should be proud of his or her Rhinebeck
affiliations. To trace ancestry as far back as
possible is now a pleasing- task.

The wrard, precinct and town officers hav-
ing- been named and the early freeholders
listed, the postmasters are entitled to men-
tion. In 1710 a postal system was proposed
for the colonies. It was fifty years before it
could be said to be in operation. In 1789 the
United States assumed control. Postage then
was from eig-ht to twenty-five cents a letter,
according- to distance. Asa Potter appears to
have been first postmaster on "the flatts."
He was followed by John Fowkes, Christian
Schell, William B. Piatt, Eliphalet Piatt,
M.D., Albert A. Rider, Theophilus Gillender,
John M. Keese, John N. Cramer, Andrew J.
Odell, Allen H. Hoffman, Albert L. Rider,
James C. McCarty and the present worthy
incumbent, George Tremper. Up to 1857 the
postoffice was located in one of the principal

396 Historic Old Rhinebeck

stores, the merchant being" also the post-
master. Albert A. Rider was the last post-
master of this class. The office had during
his term so increased in importance as to
require separation from other business. Mr.
Rider made a first-class official. He had been
town clerk for several years. His store com-
manded the trade of a large farming section.
His successor was engaged in no other busi-
ness. Mr. Rider's eldest son, John P. Rider,
like his father, is an able business man, and
president of the Matteawan National Bank.
The postoffice is now located in the Town
hall, and has a rural free delivery annex.

From the start homes took precedence in
the town. The people were home makers.
Some of the old homes became noted. That
of Col. Henry Beekman, originally the Kip
house of 1700, and Beekman-Livingston from
1726 to 1840, and then Heermance, shown in
frontispiece, is first on the list. (See pages
6, 7, 26, 27, 89.) " Grasmere " stands second ;
the first house having- been erected in 1773 by
Gen. Richard Montgomery. (See pages 29,
96, 97, 238, 274.) The present occupants are
Mrs. F. A. Crosby and her son, Maunsel S.
Crosby, the widow and son of Hon. Ernest
H. Crosby, deceased, an eminent citizen of
international fame, who was the son of the

REV. DR. J. H. SUYDAM ERNEST H. CROSBY

EDWIN HILL PETER M. FULTON

WILLIAM BERGH KIP JOHN A, TRAYER

Who's Who and Was 397

distinguished clergyman, Rev. Dr. Howard
Crosby, deceased. From the Livingstons to
the Crosbys the fame of Grasmere stands
unimpaired.

"Linwood" comes next. This estate is on
Roosa lot No. 1. (See map, page 13.) In
1790 it was the Van Etten farm. Dr. Thomas
Tillotson bought it, erected a mansion and
resided there until his death in 1832. Dr.
Federal Vanderburgh then purchased it. He
sold the land west of the creek to his son-in-
law, John B. James, and he sold it to his
brother, Augustus James, who lived there for
thirty years. He sold it in 1868 to Alfred
Wild, and it is now the property of Jacob
Ruppert, a wealthy brewer who has erected
an up-to-date mansion and improved the sur-
roundings. For beauty of location and scen-
ery it has no superior. (See pages 12, 57,
104.) Its prestige remains.

"The Grove" in point of time was the
fourth in line. The mansion was erected by
Col. Philip J. Schuyler before 1800. It is a
sightly place, an attractive home. Mrs. Mary
R. Miller became its owner in 1858, and it is
now the residence of one of the progressive
citizens of the town, her nephew, Dr. George
N. Miller. (See pages 93, 99, 299.)

" Wildercliffe " is next in order. Up to 1799

398 Historic Old Rhinebeck

it was a Van Wagenen farm. In that year
Johannes, or "Hans," Van Wagenen ex-
changed lands with Rev. Freeborn Garrett-
son. (See page 153.) Wilder Klippe is Dutch,
meaning- wild man, or Indian. On a rock on
the shore are rude figures of two Indians,
one holding a tomahawk, the other a calumet
or pipe. War or peace, it is for the white
man to say. He said peace. The Garrettsons
built a new house and moved into it in Octo-
ber, 1799. Mrs. Garrettson, once led in the
dance by Gen. Washington, in a letter said,
"The first night we spent in family praj^er."
Mrs. Olin said of this house and family :

"It was a home for the Lord's people;
strangers were welcomed as brethren ; and
many a weary itinerant has rested there as in
the Palace Beautiful. Relatives and friends
came to the house year after year, and en-
joyed delightful interchange of thought and
feeling with Christians of different denomina-
tions. How many who have enjoyed the
genial hospitality of this house will recall the
dignified form of the hostess, with her marked
features, her soft hazel eye, the brown hair
parted under the close fitting cap with its
crimped muslin border, and the neatly fitting
dress, always simple, yet alwa}7s becoming."

Miss Mary Garrettson (see page 168), the

Who's Who and Was 399

daughter, lived there until her death in 1879,
continuing the generous hospitality for which
Wildercliffe was always famous. Probably
no house anywhere has entertained so many
Methodist ministers, from the humblest to the
greatest. H. E. Montgomery, a Wall street
magnate, now makes it a summer home.

"Clifton Point" was for many years the
home of Hon. Freeborn Garrettson, Jr., and
his distinguished family (see pages 97-8).
The railroad company made a tunnel through
the rocks there. It was always an attractive
spot. Louis A. Ehlers became its owner after
the Civil war. He recently sold it. A couple
of murders in the locality gave it some noto-
riety a few years ago.

" Ellerslie," of well deserved fame, follows.
In 1750 this was the farm of Hendricus Heer-
mance. His daughter, Clartjen, married
Jacobus Kip. The farm passed to the Kips
by inheritance, and was in 1814 sold to Ma-
turin Livingston, son-in-law of Gov. Lewis.
He built a mansion on it. In 1816 James
Thompson bought it. He gave it the name,
"Ellerslie." In 1831 it was sold to James
Warwick, and in 1841 to William Kelly.
Under Mr. Kelly the acreage was increased
to nearly eight hundred, covering about all of
the lots three and four. (See map on page 13.)

400 Historic Old Ehinebeck

Mr. Kelly not only multiplied his acres, but
did what money, taste, intelligence and enter-
prise could do to adorn them and increase
their productiveness. The mansion, though
of an ancient type, was stately and capacious,
and commanded river and mountain view of
great extent and beauty. It stood in the
borders of a park of five hundred fenceless
acres, embracing wood and meadow land,
lakelets and rivulets, and every variety of
natural and charming scenery. With its
avenues, walks, lawns, flower plats, fruit
houses, orchards, gardens and conservatories,
all artistically planned and arranged, and
open to the public on week days under a few
indispensable restrictions, there is nothing
to-day of which Rhinebeck may so justly take
pride to itself, because there is nothing for
which it is so widely and favorably known as
the presence within its borders of the Ellers-
lie park and gardens. It is now the property
of Gov. Levi P. Morton, who has erected a
new, modern mansion on the old site. (See
pages 260, 262, 297, 373-4.)

" Ferncliff " is of later date. It was se-
lected and named by William Astor, who was
born July 12, 1829, and died April 25, 1892.
He was a son of William B., and a grandson
of John Jacob Astor. His mother was Gen.

Who's Who and Was 401

Armstrong's daughter. (See page 98.) His
wife, Caroline Webster Schermerhorn, a lady
of education, culture and refinement, recog-
nized during her life as the leader of the
" four hundred." William Astor was a prince
among men. His public spirit was unlimited.
In Florida, where he had large property
interests, he explored the coast, built a rail-
road, had two postoffices and a lake named in
his honor — Astor, Armstrong, Schermerhorn.
He refused the United States senatorship.
He saved Rhinebeck from a heavy bonded
indebtedness. (See page 336.) He was prom-
inent in the Episcopal church, and an officer
of the principal financial eleemosynary and
philanthropic institutions of the State. Fern-
cliff is to-day the largest estate in "ye olde
town." It is owned by Col. John Jacob
Astor, the son of William, and contains
within its borders all that is desirable.

Of Col. Astor the following is descriptive :
Born at Ferncliff, July 13, 1864. Educated
at St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hamp-
shire. Entered Harvard in 1884 ; graduated
in 1888. Traveled in Asia, Africa and South
America, 1889-90. Married Miss Ava L. Will-
ing, 1891. Won prizes at the Chicago World's
Fair, 1893. Wrote "A Journey in Other
Worlds" and "A Romance of the Future."

402 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Devised a rain-making- machine and patented
a bicycle brake and a pneumatic road cleaner.
Built an electric motor boat. Appointed aide
on Gov. Morton's staff, 1895-6. Offered his
yacht free to the government at the outbreak
of the Spanish-American war, 1898. Equipped
a mountain battery for the Philippines at a
cost of $75,000. Entered the United States
army as lieutenant-colonel on Gen. Shafter's
staff ; saw active service before Santiago, and
was present at the surrender of the Spaniards.
Inherited a great fortune, estimated over
$100,000,000, largely invested in city real
estate. Is interested in automobiles, elec-
tricity, flying machines, yachts, good roads
and chemistry. Is popular in society, but
cares little for show and gush. Is practical.

" Ankony " is part of the original Kip pur-
chase and patent. Was given its present
name about 1866. (See page 8.) Now the
residence of Henry Spies Kip, a descendant
in direct line of the original owner.

"Glenburn" is the summer home of Col.
Stephen H. Olin, a well-known lawyer of high
rank in his profession, and the son of Mrs. Olin
of revered memory. The name of Olin in Rhine-
beck is warm in the hearts of the people.

" Castle-on-the-hill " is well named. It is a
most appropriate location for a castle. It is

Who7s Who and Was 403

the country seat of William Starr Miller, and
is all that its name implies.

"Millbank," the former home of Dr. Van-
derburgh and H. G. Dyar, with the ''Fox
hollow farm," is now the estate of Tracy
Dows, an enterprising- townsman who believes
in good roads, good stock, good crops, and
good things generally. It is one of the show
places of the neighborhood.

"Leacote" is an old residential property
formerly owned by the Wainwrights, but now
the home of Douglas Merritt, a wealthy
public-spirited citizen, ever striving for the
betterment of local conditions and making
more attractive home surroundings. He fre-
quently appeals through the home newspa-
per to his townspeople to remedy evils.

" Stonecrest " is a new place recently
opened by George D. Beattys, a lawyer of
Brooklyn. A fine residence is in process of
erection.

"Hemlocks," east of the village, once the
residence of Thomas and Albert Traver, is
now occupied as a summer home by William
Kinscherf, a jewelry merchant of the great
city.

"Steen Valetje" is on the north boundary
line, and is the residence of F. H. Delano.
(See pages 19, 21, and map, page 221.)

404 Historic Old Rhinebeck

"Rokeby" is of Armstrong-- Astor fame,
the residence of the Chanlers. (See page 98.)

There are many other homes in the town
well entitled to mention ; the Suckley, Finck,
Swartzwalder, Stein, etc., and in the village
there are any number of beautiful homes, the
residences of the first citizens of "ye olde
town." (See pages 73, 74, 284.)

The portraits of two remarkable women,
one the mother of great men and noble
women, and the other her revered grand-
daughter, with those of a few of the men
"who was," are inserted.

Here endeth "Historic Old Rhinebeck."

Appendix

A Indian Deed to Artsen, Roosa and Elton.

B Indian Deed to Kip.

C Royal Patent to Artsen-Kip.

D Royal Patent to Henry Beekman.

E Release, Beekman to Artsen-Kip.

F Deed, De Witt to Beekman.

G First Tax Assessment, 1723.

H Census of 1740.

I Census of Slaves, 1755.

J Signers of Revolutionary Pledge.

K Staatsburgh.

L Red Hook.

M German Village of Rheinbach.

N Census, 1790.

O Some Old Graves.

P A Beekman Deed.

Q Supervisors and Town Clerks Since 1800.

R Remarks.

405

406 Historic Old Rhinebeck

The first Indian deed for lands in what is now the
town of Rhinebeck, is recorded in Book AA, Ulster
eounty clerk's office, in Kingston, N. Y. (See page
4.) The deed is dated June 8, 1686. It is a transla-
tion in English of the original, and is as follows:

INDIAN DEED TO ARTSEN, ROOSA AND ELTON

" Translated.— It is acknowledged by these presents
that upon the 8th day of June, 1686, in the presence-
of the magistrates, have Aran Kee, Kreme Much
and Korra Kee, young Indians, appeared, the which
do acknowledge to have sold to Gerrit Artsen, Arie
Rosa and Jan Elton a certain pareell of land, lying
upon the east shore, right over against the mouth of
the Redout creek, bounded between a small creek
and the river, the which said creek is sold to the pur-
chasers. The bounds of the said land beginneth at
the parting of the lands of Henry Kip, and by a
small creek called, in the Indian speech, Quanelos ;
and then runs right through to a great oak tree,
marked and scored by the Indians; then runs south
to where the uppermost creek comes into the same ;
and then by the said creek to the river ; for which
the said purchasers promise to pay to the aboriginal
sellers, or cause to be paid, as follows : Six buffaloes,
four blankets, five kettels, four guns, five horns, five
axes, ten kans of powder, eight shirts, eight pairs of
stockings, forty fathoms of wampum, orsewant, two
drawing knives, two adzes, ten knives, half anker
rum, one frying pan ; which payment shall and must
be made on the 1st of November next ensuing; and
with the payment the Indians are bound to give a
free transport and license unto them, the which both-

Appendix 407

parties promise to adhere to. The day and year as

above said.

His

Gerrit Artsen, Aran CO Kee,

mark.
His

Arie Roosa, Kreme O Much,

mark.
His

Jan Elton, Korra — Kee,

mark.

in the presence of us Magistrates :
Benjamin Provoost,
His

Jan X Jorken,

mark.

His

Henry X Elison.

mark.
" Upon ditto the sale of the land the same Indians
acknowledge to have given unto Gerrit Artsen, Arie
Rosa and Jan Elton a valley situate eastward from
the land bought by them, named Mansakenning, and
a path to the same, upon approbation of his honor,
on the 8th day of June, 1686, Kingston.
I His

Aran </) Kee,

( mark.

His

Kreme O Much,

mark.
His

Korra — Kee.

mark.
In the presence of us Commissioners :
Benjamin Provoost,

His

Jan x Jorken,

mark.

His

Henry x Elison."

mark-

408 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Another Indian deed, not of record, dated July 28,
1686, written in English, and in the possession of
Henry Spies Kip, a descendant of the Hendrick Kip
(see page 5) named in the deed, and the present owner
of " Ankony " on the land sold, is as follows :

INDIAN DEED TO KIP

" We, the underwritten Ankony, one of ye Esopus
Indians, and Anamaton, and Calycoon, one of the
Esopus Sachams, do acknowledge to have received
of Hendrick Kip, of Kingston, full satisfaction for a
parcell of land lying over against the Redout kill, on
the north side of Arie Rosa, on the river, which is re-
ceived hy me, Ankony, Anamaton and Calycoon, in
full satisfaction for the above said lands. In witness
whereof, have hereunto set our hands, this 28th day
of July, 1686.

The mark of W Ankony,
The mark of (") Anamaton,
Testis: The mark of U Calycoon.

Henry Pawling."

Confirming these sales made by the Indian owners,
a Royal Patent was granted by King James the Sec-
ond, on the 2d day of June, 1688. (See page 4.)

COPY royal patent

"Thomas Dougan, Captain-General and Governor-
in-Chiefe in and over the Province of New York and
Territoryes depending thereon in America, under his
most sacred Majesty, James, the Second, by the
grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and

Appendix 409

Ireland, Defender of the faith, &c. To all to whom
these presents shall come sendeth greeting. Whereas,
Gerrit Arsen, Arrian Rose, John Elton, Hendrick
Kipp and Jacob Kipp, by vertue of my lycense, con-
sent and approbation, have purchased of and from
the Indians, natural owners and possessors of the
same, a, certain parcell of land lying on the east side
of Hudson's river; in the Dutchess' County, over
against the Rondout Kill, beginning at a certain
marked tree at the river side ; from thence running
upon a direct line eastward two hundred and seventy
Rodds to a certain small creek; thence along said
creek southwesterly seven hundred ninety and four
Rodds ; and thence westerly along the said creek to
the river, containing twelve hundred a-cres, or there-
about. And, Whereas, the said Gerrit Arsen, Arrian
Rose, John Elton, Hendrick Kipp and Jacob Kipp
have made their requests unto me, that I would, on
behalf of his Majesty, grant and confirm unto them,
the said Gerrit Arsen, Arrian Rose, John Elton, Hen-
drick Kipp and Jacob Kipp, their heirs and assigns,
the before mentioned parcell of land and premises,
with the appurtenances : Know ye that by vertue of
my commission, and authority from his most sacred
Majesty, and power in me being and residing, in con-
sideration of the quitt-rent and chiefe rent herein
after reserved, and divers other good and lawful con-
siderations me thereunto moveing, I have given,
granted and confirmed, and by these presents do
hereby give, grant and confirm unto the said Gerrit
Arsen, Arrian Rose, John Elton, Hendrick Kipp and
Jacob Kipp, their heirs and assigns forever, all the
before recited parcell of land and premises, with all
and every the appurtenances, together with all and
singular lands, meadows, woods, moors, marshes,

410 Historic Old Rhinebeck

waters, hunting, hawking, fishing and fowling, and
all other proffitts, advantages, commoditys, emolu-
ments and hereditaments to the said parcel of land
and premises belonging, or in anywise appertaining.
To have and to hold the said parcell of land and
premises, with all and singular, the hereditaments
and appurtenances, unto the said Gerrit Arsen.
Arrian Rose, John Elton, Hendrick Kipp and Jacob
Kipp, their heirs and assigns, to the only proper
use and behoof of them, the said Gerrit Arsen, Arrian
Rose, John Elton, Hendrick Kipp and Jacob Kipp,
their heirs and assigns forever. To be holden of his
most sacred Majesty, his heirs and successors, in free
and common socage, according to the tenure of East
Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in his Majesty's
Kingdome of England, yeelding, rendering, and pay-
ing therefor unto his said Majesty, his heirs and suc-
cessors, forever, yearly, and every year, the quan-
tity of eight bushels of good, sweet, merchantable
winter wheat, as a quitt rent, to be delivered at the
city of New York, unto such officer or officers as
shall from time to time be impowered to receive the
same, in lieue, place and stead of all service due, and
demand whatsoever. In testimony whereof I have
signed these presents with my hand writing, and
caused the same to be recorded in the Secretary's
office, and the seal of this his Majesty's province to be
thereunto affixed, this second day of June, in the
fourth year of his Majesty's reign, and in the year of
our Lord, One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty and
Eight.

Thomas Dougan."

endorsements

" May it Pleas yor Excy

Appendix 411

"The Attorney General has perused this grant and
finds therein nothing prejudicial to your Majesties-
interests.
"Exad May 31, 1688." W. Nichols."

"Att a councill held at ffortt James, July 28, 1688;
Present, his Excellency, Major Antho : Brockholls,
Major Baxter, Major Phillips, Major Cortlandt, Coll.
Bayard, this pattent was approved of.

Geo. Brewerton."

"Recorded in the Secretary's office for the province
of New York, in Lib. No. 2, begun 1686, Page 319 &c
" Exad. by Geo. Brewerton."

The original of this patent fell into the hands of
the Roosa family, and passed from them, through the
Van Etten family, to Hon John N. Cramer, a de-
scendant from whom it passed into the possession of
the late Hon. William Kelly, and then to Hon. Levi
P. Morton, whose lands are all within the limits of
the territory which it conveyed. It is of parchment,
perfectly preserved, and has a seal four inches in di-
ameter, enclosed in a tin box. The lands conveyed
by it lie between Landsman and Rhinebeck creeks
and the river, and extend from Vanderburgh's cove
north to a line drawn directly west from the Hog
bridge to the river.

It does not appear that the Beekmans ever pur-
chased any lands of the Indians in what is now the
town of Rhinebeck. The "Calendar of Land Pa-
pers " states that in 1695 Henry Beekman, the son of
William, petitioned for a patent for land in Dutchess
county, lying opposite Esopus creek, and known by
the name of Sepeskenot. On the 22d of April, 1697,

412 Historic Old Rhinebeck

he obtained a patent for these lands, which says it is
for lands "lying to the north of Hendrick Kip, and
alongst Hudson's river, to the bounds of Major Peter
Schuyler, containing in length about four miles, and in
breadth into the woods as far as the bounds of the
said Major Schuyler." He was to pay therefor yearly
and every year forever, next and after the expiration
of seven years * * * upon the first day of annun-
ciation (the 25th of March,) at the City of New York,
the yearly rent of forty shillings.

This patent did not define the boundaries of the
lands as fully and accurately as Col. Beekman de-
sired, and he obtained another in the place of it, on
the 25th of June, 1703. (See pages 18, 19, 21.)

"beekman patent"

The following is a copy of the " Beekman Pattent,"
as recorded in Book 7 of Patents, Page 219, and filed
in the office of the Secretary of State, at Albany. It
was copied for " Historic Old Rhinebeck." It will be
noticed that there are many peculiarities in the style,
construction of sentences, the manner of spelling and
abbreviating words, punctuation, &c, such as " ff "
instead of capital " F," the use of " tt " and the addi-
tion of " e " and other features which appear odd
enough. Here it is verbatim :

Anne by the Grace of God of England Scotland
ffrance & Ireland Queen Defender of the ffaith, &c.
To all to whom these Presents shall come sendeth
Greeting Whereas our Loving subject Coll. Henry
Beekeman of Kings toume in the county of Ulster within
our Province of New York in America, one of our Jus-
tices of the Peace for the said county of Ulster &
Judge of our Court of Common Pleas there by his Pe-
tition to our Eight trusty and well beloved Cousin Ed-

Appendix 413

ward Viscount Cornbury our Capt. Genii. & Govr. in
Oheife in and over our Province of New York afore-
said & Territories Depending thereon in America Pre-
ferred in Council the Eighteenth day of June instant,
therein Setting forth thatt having obtained Letters
Patents bearing Date the two and twentieth Day of
Aprill one thousand six hundred ninety & seven from
Coll Benjamin ffletcher then Governour of our said
Province of New York for two severall p'rcells of Land
in Dutches County within our Province aforesaid att
& under ye yearly Quitt rent of ffortey shillings the
Bounds of one of w'ch Percells of Land not being so
fully mentioned & expressed in the said Letters Pat-
tents thereof as was intended hath humbly prayed our
Grant or Letters Pattents of the said two Parcells of
Land in Dutches County aforesaid according to the
reall & true Bounds and extent thereof and of each of
them upon Surrender of the said former Letters Pat-
tents thereof by the said Coll Benjamin ffletcher
Granted as aforesaid att and under the said Yearly
Pent of ffortey Shillings the which petition Seeming
reasonable unto us and we being minded to Grant the
same Know yee that for and in Consideration of the
said Coll Henry Beekman Surrender of the before
recited Letters Pattents of the two several p'rcells of
Land in Dutchess County aforesaid to our said Right
trusty & well beloved Cousin Edward Viscount Corn-
bury our Capt Genii & Govr in Cheife aforesaid in Coun-
cill to be made Void & Cancelled before the passing
hereof and for divers others Good Causes & Considera-
tions us thereunto moving wee of our Special Grace Cer-
tain Knowledge & meere motion have Given Granted
Ratified and Confirmed & in & by these Presents Doe for
us our Heires and Successors Give Grant<Ratifie & Con-
firm unto the said Coll Henry Beekeman of Kingstowne

414 Historic Old Ehinebeck

aforesaid in the said County of Ulster our Loving
Subject aforesaid his Heires and assigns all that Tract
of Land in Dutchess County aforesaid Situate lying &
being on the East side of Hudsons River beginning att
a Place Called by the Indians Quaningquaios over
against the Kleyn Sopus my being the Northern Bounds
of the Land called Pawlings Purchase from thence
extending Northerly by the side of Hudsons River afore-
said untill it comes to a Stone Creek over against the
Kallcoon Hook wch is the Southerly Bounds of the
Land of Coll Peter Schuyler formerly Stiled Major
Schuyler from thence Easterly along the Southerne
Bounds of the Land of the said Coll Peter Schuyler
untill it Comes so farr East as to reach a certain Pond
called by the Indians Waraghkemeeck and from thence
extending Southerly by a Line Parralell to Hudsons
River aforesaid untill a Line Runn from the place-
where first begann Easterly into the woods does meet
the said Parralell Line bounded Westerly by the said
Hudsons River Northerly by the Land of the said
Peter Schuyler Easterly by the said Parralell Line
and Southerly by the Line Drawne from the place
where it was att first begann and meeting the said
Parralell Line wch is the Northern Bounds of the said
Land before Called Pawlings Purchase and also all
that other Tract of Land in Dutchess County afore-
said Beginning att the North side of the high lands att
ye East of the Land of Coll Courtlandt Deceased &
Company and running in Length as farr as the said
Land of Coll Courtlandt & Compa aforesaid in Breadth
from the East Bounds of the said Land of Coll Court-
landt and Compa aforesaid so farr as the Line between
this our said Province of New York and our Collony
of Connecticutt extends, together with all woods under-
woods Trees and Timber Standing Growing or renew-

Appendix 415

ing in or upon the said severall Tracts of Land afore-
said or either of them or any Part or Parcell of them
or either of them and all ffeilds Pastures Meadowes
Marshes Swamps Pooles Ponds Waters Watercourses
Rivers Runns Streams and Brooks within the Bounds
and Limitts aforesaid as also free Liberty of ffishing
ffouling hawking and hunting within the said several
Tracts of Land aforesaid and every or any Part or
prcell thereof and all other Proffitts Priviledges bene-
fitts and advantages Hereditaments and appurtenances
whatsoever to the said Severall Tracts of Land in
Dutchess County aforesaid or either of them belonging
or in anywise appertaining To have and to hold ye
Said Severall Tracts of Land Woods underwoods Trees
Timbers melds Pastures Meadows Marshes Swamps
Pooles Ponds Waters Watercourses Rivers Runns
Streams and ffishing ffouling hawking and hunting
and all and Singular the Premises with appurtenances
hereby Given and Granted or meant mentioned or
intended to be hereby Given or Granted as aforesaid
and every Part and Parcell thereof unto the said Coll
Henry Beekeman his Heires and assigns forever to the
Sole and onely proper use benefitt and behoofe of him
the said Collonell Henry Beekeman his Heires and as-
signs forever to be holden of us our Heires & Succes-
sors in ffree and Common Locage as of our Mannor of
East Greenwich in the County of Kent within our
Realm of England Yeilding and Paying therefore
Yearly and every Year unto us our Heires and Suc-
cessors att our Citty of New Yorke or to our Collector
or Receiver Generall there for the time being att or
upon the ffeast Day of the Annunciation of the blessed
Virgin Mary the Rent or Sume of ffortey Shillings
Current Moneys of our said Province of New York in
Lieu and Stead of all other Rents Services Dues

416 Historic Old Ehinebeck

Duties and Demands whatsoever to Grow due and
payable unto us our Heires or Successors for the same
Premises.

In testimony whereof wee have Caused the Seale of
our said Province of New York to these our Letters
Patents to be affixed

Wittness our Right Trusty and well beloved Cousin
Edward Viscount Cornbury our Captain Generall and
Govr in Chiefe in and over our Province of New York
aforesaid and Territories Depending thereon in Amer-
ica and Vice Admirall of the same &c in Councill att
our ffort att New York aforesaid the twenty fifth day
of June in the Second Year of our Reigne Annoq Dom
1703

Lett the Seal of the Province be
affixed to Letters Pattents for Coll
Henry Beekman of Kingstown in the -^ Honan
County of Ulster for two Tracts or Secrv

Parcells of Land in Dutchess County
as by the said Pattents may more at
large appear. Dated att New York
this 25th Day of June 1703. Cornbury.

To Mr Honan Secr'y-

As Beekman's second patent covered land already
patented to Artsen, Roosa, Elton and Kip, the son
of the patentee Henry Beekman, Jr., having suc-
ceeded his father, made a release to settle all ques-
tion of title (see page 21), in substance as follows :

BEEKMAN RELEASE

" Know all christian people to whom these present
writings shall or may come, that I, Henry Beekman,
of Dutchess county, in the province of New York, for

Appendix 417

divers good causes and considerations him t here-
unto moving, hath remised, released and forever quit
claimed, and by these presents for himself and his
heirs doth fully, clearly and absolutely remise, re-
lease and forever quit claim unto Jacob Kipp,
Mathias Sleight, Evert Van Wagenen, Evert Roosa,
Henricus Heermance, Goose Van Wagenen, Barent
Van Wagenen and Lavvrens Osterhout, all of said
Dutchess county and province of New York, yeo-
men, in their full and peaceable possession, and
seizen, and to their heirs and assigns forever, all
such right, estate, interest and demand whatsoever,
as he the said Henry Beekman had or ought to have
of in or to all that certain tract or parcel of land in
Dutchess county which tract of land is heretofore
granted to captain Arie Roosa, John Eltinge and
others in company, cituating and being over against
the Rondout Kill * * * containing the quantity
of land as it is comprehending and lays within its
boundaries according to the express words of said
pattint granted as above said, and in the year of our
Lord one thousand six hundred and eighty-eight
(Alway acceptd, and it is hereby forever reserved to
the said Henry Beekman, his heirs, exects, administs,
or assigns, or to any of them, all such right title
clame and demand or possession which be, the said
Henry Beekman, hath and ought to have in said
pattint by vertue of such title and conferences from
and under hand and seal of Hendrick Kip, and all
other assurances, divisions and contracts made over
and confirmed to the said Henry Beekman, which of
right did to the said Hendrick Kip belong as his in-
heritance from his father, Hendrick Kip, deceased,
one of ye partners of ye above resighted patin, all
which right so belonging heretofore to the said Hen-

418 Historic Old Rhinebeck

drick Kip is hereby excluded by these presents) * * *
Dated: March 19, 1726. Witnessed by Jacob Kip,
jr. and William Van Vredenburgh, jr."

The Indian deed "B"and this quit claim deed "E"
were shown this writer in 1872.

These instruments were never recorded. The deed
"E" is in the handwriting of Col. Henry Beekman.

The deed from Peek DeWitt to Henry Beekman,
Jr. , bears date the 9th day of August, 1715, and reads
as follows:

PEEK DE WITT TO BEEKMAN

"To all christian people to whom these presents
shall or may come, Peek De Witt, of Dutchess, in the
province of New York, in America, sends greeting.
Now know yea that the said Peek De Witt by and
with the consent and good liking of Maritje, his wife,
testified by her signing and sealing of these presents,
for divers good causes him thereunto moving, but
more especially for and in consideration of an ex-
change of a certain tract of land lying and being in
the county of Ulster, in the corporation, Kingston,
on the south side of the Rondout creek, above the
great fall, in said Rondout creek, and of ten acres of
fly or meadow, lying on the north side of said Ron-
dout creek, between the fly of John Frere and the fly
of Coll. Henry Beekman, this day conveyed and as-
sured unto the said Peek De Witt by the said Coll.
Henry Beekman, have given, granted, bargained,
sold, released, certified and confirmed * * * unto
Henry Beekman, jr., of Kingston, in Ulster County,
gent, the just third part of all that certain tract or
parcell of land, situate, lying, and being in Dutchess

Appendix 419

County, beginning at the north bounds of the land of
the said Coll. Henry Beekman, and so along Hudson's
river to a certain small creek or run of water to the
north of Magdalene's Island and as far into the
woods as the said patent for the said land of Coll.
Peter Schuyler extends, with the just third part of
the mill, and mill creek, and the appurtenances there-
unto belonging, together with all and singular the
orchards, buildings, gardens, fencing and improve-
ments on the same, to have and to hold the said just
third part of the said tract or parcell of land, mill
and mill creek, with all and singular the profits, ben-
efits, advantages, commodities * * * unto him,
the said Henry Beekman, jr., his heirs and assigns
forever. In witness whereof the said Peek Be Witt,
and Marit je, his wife, have hereunto put their hands
and affixed their seals, in Kingston, this ninth day
of August, in the second year of the reign of our
sovereign Lord George, by the grace of God of Great
Britain, France and Ireland, King Defender of the
Faith, &c, Anno Domine, 1715.

"Sealed and delivered in the presence of us,

His
Henry Beekman, Peek P. D. W. DeWitt,

mark.

Her

Johannes Wynkoop, Maritie x DeWitt.

mark.

In the presence of me, Mattys Jan sen.
W. Wattingham, Justice of the Peace."
Recorded in Ulster Co., Liber No. 66, Folio 383,
Wattingham, clerk.

By this purchase from Peek DeWitt, Henry Beek-
man, jr., obtained five thousand five hundred and
forty-one acres of land on the north of and adjoining
the patent of his father. This covered all of the

420

Historic Old Rhinebeck

present town of Rhinebeck except the patent of Art-
sen, Roosa, & Co.; also part of Red Hook.

Upon the southerly portion of this land some of
the Palatines were settled soon after its purchase,
and this fixes the date of their arrival in Rhinebeck.
The fall of 1715 was the time. (See page 42.)

LIST OF TAXPAYERS, 1723

The first tax assessment was in 1723. (See page 80. }
The inhabitants, residents, sojourners and free-
holders of Dutchess County are rated and assessed
by the assessors chosen for the said county, as follows %

NORTH WARD

£ s. d.
Widow Harmon Knick-
erbocker 5 0 5

Widow Adam Van El-

styn 5 0 5

LaurensKnickerbacker 18 18 0

Barent VaiiBenthuysen 10 2 0
Johan Jacobus Melus .707

Jacob Hooghtyling 12 0 12

JanVasburgh 11 0 11

Hans Jacob Dencks ... 12 0 12

Aarent Feinhout 6 0 6

Nicolas Row 18 0 18

Fallentyne Bender 8 0 8

Philip Feller 5 0 5

Johannes Risd or ph.... 8 0 8

Barent Noll 8 0 8

Jurrie Soefelt 17 0 17

Lawrence Hendrick... 10 0 10
Annauiaas Teel, Wag-

aner 10 0 10

Frederick Mayer 10 0 10

Karl Neher 14 0 14

Philips, cooper 12 0 12

Herry Teder 12 0 12

Hans Jerry Prigell .... 8 0 12

Hans Adam Frederick. 8 0 8
Henrick Sheerman.... unable

HenrickBeem 7 0 7

Johannes Backus 9 0 9

Andries Countreman.. 6 0 7

Jurryan Saltman 6 0 6

£ s. d.

Peter Tybell 15 0 15

Alburtus Schryver .... 5 0 5

Nicolas Eemeigh 1U 0 10

Henrick Ohle 10 0 10

Carel Ohle unable

Adam Eykert 18 0 18

Hans Lambert 19 0 19

Stephen Froelick 8 0 8

Martten VVheitman 6 0 6

Hendrick Buys 8 0 8

Jacob Van Kempeu ... 10 0 10

Nicolas Bonesteel 7 0 7

Areyen Hendrick, Van

Pine 12 0 12

Isaac Borhans 10 0 10

Evert Knickerbacker.. 7 0 7

Johannes Row 6 0 6

Simon Westfall 14 0 14

John Windfield 5 0 5

Jacobus Van Etten 5 0 5

Martten Boock 6 0 6

Peter Dob 12 0 12

Johannes Dob 6 0 6

Cornel iusKnickerback-

er 11 0 11

Vallentine Shaver 5 0 5

Peter Wooleven, Jr 5 0 5

Bastian Traver 7 0 7

Deirk De Duytser 13 0 13

Barent Van Wagenen . 21 1 1

Abraham Freer, Jr.... 8 0 8

Appendix

421

NORTH WARD — CONTINUED

Hans Felten Woleven. .

Peter Woleven

Frans Kelder

Joseph Reykert

Hendrick S never

Peter Van Ostrander . .
Estate Mary tie Ostran-
der

William Traphagen . . .

Jacob Kip

Hendrick Kip

Mathvs Sleight

Abraham Freer

Evert Van Wagenen. . .
Hendricus Heermanse.
Goose Van Wagenen . .
Laurense Osterhout. . .
Hendricus Beekman. . .

Jacob Ploegh

Tunis Pier

Larense Teder

North Ward, 97 people, assessed.

Tax, at Is. on a pound

Middle Ward, 48 people, assessed

Tax, at Is. on a pound

South Ward, 48 people assessed .
Tax, at Is. on a pound

s. d.
0 9
0 14
0 12
0 15
0 16
0 14

0 5

1 8

2 15

0 15

1 12

0 5

1 9
0 12

0 12

1 1

3 0
0 5
0 14
0 8

Gerardus Lewis

Jurrie Westfall

Johannes Berenger,

sevemaker

Wen del Polefer

Arie Roosa

Peter Van Etteni

Roelif Kip

William Simon

Martin Burger

Adam Dinks . . ,

Henrick Swetselar

William Vredenburgh.

William Schot

John Jurie Aere

Christian Berg

Lazuroz Dome

Simon Coal

Aery a Rosa, Jr

Jurie Shever

Philip Saloman

£ s. d.

8 0 8

8 0 8

8 0 8

8 0 8

8 0 8

8 0 8

9 0 9
5 0 5
5 0 5

10 0 10

8 0 8

0 8
0
0
0
0
0

5 0
5 0

,£105S 15 7

£54 8 0
40 12 0

. 27 3 0
£122 3 0

812 0 0
543 0 0

£2443 15 7

This tax list shows that in 1722 the North Ward,
which comprised the present towns of Red Hook and
Rhinebeck, contained more taxable persons than both
the others, paid very nearly twice as much tax as the
South, which contained the town of Fishkill, and
was assessed £276 15s. more than the Middle Ward,
which contained the town of Poughkeepsie. Of
course, the North Ward contained the thirty-five
families of Gov. Hunter's Palatines, found there in
171S ; and, as the list of names shows quite a number
besides. Here are old names referred to on page 42.

CENSUS OF 1740
A census of the county was taken in 1740, and the

422

Historic Old Rhinebeck

following freeholders were found in Rhinebeck pre-
cinct. This precinct then extended from Pawling's
south line on the south, to Columbia county on the
north, and from the river on the west, to the Nine
partners' line on the east. Leaseholders paid the
taxes. A freeholder was not necessarily the owner
of the fee. (See page 82.)

Henry Beekman,
L. Knickerbacker,
Nicholas Hoffman,
Martinus Hoffman,
B. Van Benthuysen,
Philip Louden,
Hendrick Kip,
Nicholas Row,
Jury Soefelt,
Zacharias Haber,
Frederick Sipperly,
Johannes Spaller,
Jury Felder,
William Cole,
Hans Hayner,
Johannes P. Snyder,
Michael Sipperly,
David Ri chart,
Jacob Moul,
Mathys Eernst,
Adam Ostrander,
Simon Kool,
Gotfried Hendrick,
Wendel Yager,
Jacob Drom,
Martinus Shoe,

Andries Wilderwax,
Frans Nieher,
Christovel Snyder,
Martin Tiel,
Arnout Velie,
Lawrence Tiel,
Jacob Cool,
Philip More,

Hendricus Heermance,
Evert Van Wagenen,
Johannes Backus,
HansV. Wolleven,
Hans Lambert,
Joseph Rykert,
Hendrick Sheffer,
Peter Ostrander,

Jan Van Benthuysen, B. Van Steenburgh,

Zacharias Smith,
Josias Ross,
Gysbert Westfall,
Alburtus Schryver,
Lawrence Osterhout,
Roeloff Kip,
Mathys Sleight,
Tunis Pier,
Jury Ackert,
Evert Knickerbacker
Nicholas Bonesteel,
Jacobus VanEtten,Jr
Basteaan Trever,
Conradt Berringer,
Wendel Polver,
Peter Van Etten,
William Simon,
Jury Adam Soefeldt, Abraham Kip,
Philip Foelandt,
These are old names referred to on page 42.

Hans Velte Shaffer,
William Freer,
William Schot,
Peter Tippel,
Stephen Frelick,
Andries Heermance,
Michael Polver,
Johannes Weaver,
Wm, Van Vreden-

burgh, Jr.,
Johannes Kip,
Arie Hendricks,
Wm. Van Vreden-

burgh,
Isaac Kip,
Joseph Kip,
Goese Van Wagenen,
A rent Ostrander.

I

CENSUS OF SLAVES, 1755

fn 1755 n census of the slaves in the countv was

Appendix 423

taken (see page 84); the owners and number of slaves
in Rhinebeck precinct were as follows :

Captain Zachariah Hoffman's List. — Col. Martin
Hoffman owned ten ; Captain Zachariah Hoffman,
four ; Vullared Widbeck, two ; Harmon Knicker-
backer, two ; John Van Benthuysen, four ; Barent
Van Benthuysen, eight ; Anthony Hoffman, one ;
Adam Pitzer, one ; John Vosburgh, three ; Captain
Evert Knickerbacker, one ; Rier Schermerhorn, one ;
Peter Heermance, one ; Garret Heermance, one —
altogether thirty-eight.

Captain Evert K?iickerbacker's List. — Jacob Sie-
mon, one ; Margaret Benner, one ; Symon Kool, two ;
Nicolas Stickel, one ; Johannes Feller, one ; Petrus
Ten Broeck, five ; Mrs. Catharine Pawling, two ; An-
dries Heermance, two — altogether fifteen.

Captain Frans Neher's List. — Mrs. Alida Rutsen,
six ; Mrs. Rachel Van Steenburgh, two ; Lawrense
Tiel, one ; Philip Veller, two ; Johannes Lambert,
one ; Jack Keip, four ; Roelof Keip, two ; Abraham
Keip, three ; Gerrit Van Benthuysen, three ; George
Soefeldt, one ; George Adam Soefeldt, one ; Susan
Agnes Sheever, one ; Cornelius Ostrander, one ;
Mrs. Cathlyntie Van Vredenburgh, one — altogether
twenty-nine.

Captain Hendricus Heermance 's List. — Hendricus
Heermance, three ; Gerrit Van Wagenen, two ; Aart
Van Wagenen, one ; Evert Van Wagenen, two ;
Johan Van Wagenen, one ; Peter DeWitt, four ; Jog-
ham Reddely, two ; Mathew Sleight, two ; Hendrick
Sleight, one; Jacobus Van Etten, Jr., one; Col. Hen-
drick Beekman, eight; Lea Van Wagenen, one;
Herry Hendricks, two ; William Traphagen, one ;
Joe Croffert, one ; Arie Hendricks, one ; Charles
Crooke, one — altogether thirty-four. In the pre-

424 Historic Old Rhinebeck

cinct, fifty-two slave-holders, one hundred and six-
teen slaves.

THE REVOLUTION

After the battle of Lexington, on the 19th of April,
1775, the people of Dutchess County were asked to
sign the following pledge : (See page 88. )

"Persuaded that the rights and liberties of Amer-
ica depend, under God, on the firm union of its in-
habitants in a vigorous prosecution of the measures
necessary for its safety, and convinced of the neces-
sity of preventing anarchy and confusion, which at-
tend a dissolution of the powers of government, we,
the freemen, freeholders and inhabitants of Dutchess
County, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design
of the ministry to raise a revenue in America, and
shocked by the bloody scene now enacting in Massa-
chusetts bay, do, in the most solemn manner, resolve
never to become slaves, and do associate under all
the ties of religion, honor and love to our country, to
adopt and to carry into execution whatever measures
may be recommended by the Continental Congress,
or resolved upon by our provincial convention for
the purpose of preserving our constitution, of oppos-
ing the several arbitrary acts of the British Parlia-
ment, until a reconciliation between Great Britain
and America, on constitutional principles, which we
most solemnly desire, can be obtained : and that we
will, in all things, follow the advice of our general
committee respecting the purposes aforesaid, the
preservation of peace and good order, and the safety
of individuals and property."

Those in the precinct of Rhinebeck who thus repu-

Appendix

425

diated the British Government, and placed them-
selves under the power of new men and new meas-
ures, were as follows :

Petrus Ten Broeck,
P. G. Livingston,
George Sheldon,
William Beem,
John Van Ness,
Herman Hoffman,
Ananias Cooper,
David Van Ness,
Egbert Benson,
Jacob Hermanse,
Andries Hermanse,
Peter Hermanse,
Zach. Hoffman, Jr.,
Martin Hoffman,
Zacharias Hoffman,
Abraham Cole,
James Everett,
William Pitcher, Jr.
Jacob More, Jr.,
Christian More,
Lodowick Elseffer,
Isaac Walworth,
Samuel Green,
Peter Traver,
Andrew Simon,
Jacob Fisher,
Samuel Elmendorf,
Zacharias Backer,
Johannes Hannule.
Johannes Richter.
Levi Jones,
Isaac Cole.

Samuel Haines,
Peter Ledwyck,
Jacob Elmendorph.
Jan Elmendorph,
Patt Hogan,
Evert Hermanse,
John Cole,
Petrus Pitcher,
Zacharias Root,
Edward Wheeler,
Peter Hoffman.
William Beringer,
Conrad Berringer,
Henry Klum. Jr.,
C. Osterhout,
Peter Cole,
Simon Kole,
Jacob Maul,
Everardus Bogardus,
Simon Westfall,
Jacob Tremper,
Henry Titemor,
John Mares,
James Ostrander,
Christover Weaver,
Peter Westfall, Jr.
Henry Gissebergh,
W. Van Vraden burgh,
Jacob Kip.
James Lewis.
Peter De Witt,
John Pawling,

426

Historic Old Ehinebeck

Hendrick Miller,
Simon Cole, Jr.,
Frederick Weir,
John Banks,
John Garrison,
Nicholas Hermanse,
Philip Bonesteal,
Simon S. Cole,
Andries Michal,
John Davis,
Christian Miller,
Wilhelmus Pitcher,
John Hermanse,
Godfrey Gay,
v Henrich Tetor,
Johnannes Smith,
Jeab Meyer,
William Harrison,
Christoffel Schneider,
Christopher Fitch,
John Schermerhorn,
Henry Waterman, Jr.,
Jeab Waterman,
Henry Beekman,
Evert Van Wagenen,
Art Van Wagenen,
H. J. Knickerbacker,
William Tuttle,
Stephen Sears,
Joseph Elsworth,
Jacob Thomas,
Philip Feller,
Harman Whitbeck,
Evert Vasbnrgh,
John Moore,

Alburtus Sickner
Andrew Bowen,
Martinus Burger
Johannes Scutt,
Jacob Sickner, Jr.,
Barent Van Wagenen,
William Dillman,
Cornelius Miller,
Simon Millham,
John Weaver, Jr.,
Benjamin Osterhout,
Henry Burgess, Jr.,
Uriah Bates,
William McClure,
Joshua Chamber,
Jacob Sickner,
J. Van Aken,
Peter Van Aken,
Jacob N. Schryver,
Peter Radcliff,
C. Wenneberger,
Jacob Folant,
Abraham Kip,
Peter Brown,
Jacob Schultz,
John Hoffman,
Jacob Maul, Jr.,
B. Van Steenburgh,
Johannes Van Rensen.
Tobias Van Keuren,
John Klum,
Godfrey Hendrick,
Jacob Beringer,
John Bender,
Zacharias Whiteman,

Appendix

427

Petrus Backer,
Johannes Backer,
Conradt Lescher,
Michael Sheffer,
Goetlieb Mardin,
Hendrick Mardin,
David Martin,
Cornelius Swart,
James Adams,
Daniel Ogden,
Joseph Funck,
Christian Fero,
Ryer Schermerhorn,
Wilhelmus Smith,
Frederick Moul,
George Reystorf ,
Joseph Rogers,
Benjamin Bogardus,
Hans Kierstead,
Isaac Kip,
Jacob Kip,
Philip J. Moore,
Nicholas Hoffman,
John Williams,
Joseph Lawrence,
Jeab Vosberg,
James Douglass,
William Klum,
Johannes Miller,
Jacob Schermerhorn,
C. Schermerhorn,
Reyer Hermanse,
Jacob Hermanse,
William Pitcher,
Jacob A. Kip,

Joseph Hebert,
William Schultz,
John Blair,
Thomas Greves,
Michael Schatzel,
Peter Schopp,
Hendrick Moore,
Herrick Berger,
Johannes Turk,
John White, Jr..
John Cowles,
Herman Duncan,
John Denness,
William Waldron,
Cornelius Demond,
S. Van Benschoten,
B. Van Vradenburgh,
Peter Scoot,
Jonathan Scoot,
John Mitchell,
Simon Scoot, Jr.,
William Scoot, Jr.,
Jacob Lewis,
Jacobus Kip,
William Skepmus,
Johannes P. V. Wood,
John Haas,
P. Vradenburgh,
R. J. Kip,
David Mulford,
Lemuel Mulford,
Paul Gruber,
Solomon Powell.
Henry Bull,
George Bull.

428

Historic Old Rhinebeck

John Tremper,
Henry Shop,
John Balist,
Helmes Heermanse,
Oor. Elmendorph,
Philip Staats.
Isaac Beringer, Jr.,
William Waldorf,
Johannes Benner,
George Sharp,
Christian Backer,
William Kadcliff,
H. Waldorph, Jr.,
Henrich Benner,
Philip Hermanse,
Thomas Lewis,
Hendrick Livey,
Everhart Rynders,
Henry Kuncke,
George Stetting,
Elias H in neon,

William Powell.
Casper Haberlan,
Thomas Humphrey,
Christopher Denirah,
Abraham Westfall,
John McFort,
William Carney,
Philip Feller, Jr.,
Nicholas Bonesteel,
Philip Bonesteel,
Zach. Neer,
Nicholas Stickel,
Abraham Scott,
William Troophage,
Alexander Campbell,
R. Van Hoverburgh,
John Rogers,
Nicholas Stickel,
Jacob Teil,
John Satin,
Henry Fraleigh, Jr.

HC

STAATSBURGH

The southern portion of the old town was in 1680
the ' ' Pawling purchase. " It was once called " Malmes-
bury." The royal patent, issued in 1696, was to Neeltje
Pawling, widow of Henry. (See pages 18,19,20.) It
was owned in common, after May 26, 1701, by Dr.
Samuel Staats, Dirck Vandenburgh and Albert, Ann,
Henry and Mary Pawling, children of Henry and
Neeltje. Dr. Staats died in 1715. Prior to his death he
purchased the Vandenburgh interest. A partition of
the purchase divided it into eighteen lots. Nine lots

Appendix 429

were on the river with nine back. To the Pawlings,
who held a one-third interest, fell lots 1, 10, 3, 13, 9 and
18. Mary Pawling married Thomas Van Keuren, who
settled in Staatsburgh. His daughter, Neeltje, mar-
ried Ma]. John Pawling, her cousin. A son, Tobias
Van Keuren, was on the revolutionary pledge ; so was
his cousin, Maj. Pawling. The major was active in the
revolution, and a very prominent man afterwards.
Benjamin Van Keuren, son of Tobias, married Eliza-
beth Morris, daughter of Lewis Morris, also of revo-
lutionary fame. He and his wife rest in the Rhine-
beck cemetery. Hiram T. Van Keuren was their son.
The De Witts, Van Vliets, Berghs, Eames, Russells,
Mulfords, Hughes, Bakers, Uhls, were prominent fam-
ilies in the early days on the Pawling purchase. The
village is mostly on lot No. 7, which fell to Dr. Staats'
heirs in the partition. William B. Dinsmore, presi-
dent of Adams' Express Company, owned an estate
north of the village. It is now the property of his
son, and one of the finest show places on the Hud-
son river. The Mills' and Vanderbilt places are also
noted ones.

RED HOOK

The northern section of Rhinebeck was until 1812
what is now Red Hook. (See pages 21, 22, 95. ) It was
in the Peter Schuyler patent, dated June 2, 1688. Be-
fore 1700 settlers came. The Knickerbockers and Vos-
burghs were among the first, followed by Hoffmans,
Benners, Staats, Bensons, Van Benthuysens, Heer-
mance, Moores, Pitchers, Kittle, Confines, Lyle. Bone-
steels, Pundersons, Van Nesses, Rowleys, Whitemans,
Sharps, Elseffers, Martins, Fellers, Tanners, Chamber-

430 Historic Old Rhinebeck

lains, Donaldsons, Shooks, Piesters, Massoneaus, Tyl-
ers, and others whose names are still familiar in
the locality. The Ked Hook landing is now Tivoli.
The Sawkill is the principal stream, and once furnished
power for several mills. There are numerous villages,
Barrytown, Madalin, Anandale, Tivoli, Upper and
Lower Red Hook. The latter and Madalin are incor-
porated. St. Stephen's College is at Anandale. The
Chanlers and Delanos, branches of the Armstrong-
Astor families, live in the town. Capt. Andrew C. Za-
briskie has an estate there. In area and population
it is larger than what is left of " ye olde town," of
which it was once an important part.

IS/1

THE GERMAN VILLAGE OF RHEINBACH

On page 39 reference is made to the German village
of Rheinbach. It antedates by many years the " Ryn-
beck" of 1714. The first syllable is spelled as the
Germans spelled, Rhine. The last, bach, means in
German, brook, so does beck in Dutch. They are syn-
onymous. Here we find the name Rhinebeck in the
country the Palatines came from. Neither Judge
Beekman or the Palatines who came to " ye olde
town" in 1715 invented it. It was the name of a pros-
perous village before any of them were born. They
must have known this when "ye olde town" was
named. Inquiry shows that it now has a population
of about twenty-five hundred, several churches,
schools, banks, newspapers, etc. It is in a thickly
settled wine section, and vineyards are numerous
about it. There was in 1714, and still is, another
ReAnbeck, the first syllable spelled Rein; it is now a
suburb of the city of Hamburg on the Elbe. It has a

Appendix 431

namesake in Grundy county, Iowa. The Iowa village
is growing ; it has a population of fifteen hundred ;
two banks, a newspaper, churches, schools, etc. There
were in 1714 many places with " beck " as a part of the
name in what is now Germany ; " Einbeck " is one. Mrs.
Lamb was certainly mistaken when she guessed how
the name of Rhinebeck originated, and Jay, Lossing,
Smith and others accepted her guess as correct, and
made the same mistake she did. Proper investigation
would have avoided so palpable an error. It is due to
truth and Judge Beekman to make correction.

THE CENSUS OF 1790

On pages 81-5 reference is made to the first United
States census. The data from Washington shows
that by it Rhinebeck had : Heads of families, 514 ;
white males over sixteen, 875; white males under six-
teen, 756; white females, 1,514; all other free persons,
66 ; slaves, 121. Family names remained practically
the same as heretofore given. This census of Rhine-
beck covered the town as it then was, Red Hook and
Staatsburgh being part of it.

THE OLD DUTCH CHURCHYARD

A ramble through old graveyards, like the " Old
Dutch church " yard on South street, is suggestive to
those interested in the past. (See page 138.) This
yard was available as early as 1733 for interments.
William Traphagen died in 1710, and is buried there,
as are others of his family. Kips, Ostranders, Hen-
dricks, Browns, Streits, and other old families are
recalled by the inscriptions on stones. A few suggestive

432 Historic Old Ehinebeck

names, with year of birth and death, have been selected
as a guide : Sarah Radcliff, 1787-1785 ; Everardus Bo-
gardus, 1738-1799; Elisha R. Potter, 1799; Martinus
Schryver, 1753-1836; Frederick Schultz, 1748-1819;
David Schryver, 1751-1816; Jeremiah Van Auken,
1744-1825; Elijah Triel Abbot, 1756-1811; Jacob Hen-
dricks, 1756-1835 ; Jonathan Denison, 1722-1802 ; George
Crapser, 1791-1826; Cathrine Echert, 1775-1827; Lucy
Tinker, 1775-1845; Sarah Brown, 1754-1842; John S.
Van Keuren, 1765-1827; Thomas Hyslop, 1788-1833;
Jacob W. Cramer, 1783-1826; Hendrick Pells, 1740-
1820; Deborah Kissam, 1757-1815; Henry Drury, 1786-
1830; Dr. Joseph Frisbie, 1787-1814; Capt. Elias
Cowles, 1766-1837; David Tomlinson, M.D., 1771-1841;
Maj. William Radcliff, 1754-1834; Barnet Van Etten,
1761-1833; Abraham Van Keuren, 1749-1810; James
Oanfield, 1752-1830; George Bard, 1769-1824 ; William
Jacques, 1768-1 8:i5 ; Ichabod Brown, 1767-1829; Col.
Abm. Van Derhoof, 1777-1832 : Derrick Van Vliet, 1722-
1800; John Van Wagenen, 1761-1839 ; Jacob Van Wag-
enen, 1763-1840 ; David Van Wagenen, 1774-1849 ; Jacob
Schultz ; 1752-1830 ; Robert Cooper, 1746-1820 ; Nathan
S Judson, 1766-1824 Eliza Judson, 1766-1841 ; John
Jennings, 1784-1850. Then there are graves of Sands,
Lewis, Elmendorf, Schell, Kiersted, Seymour, Sea-
man, Tremper, Smith, Mann, Arnold, Reynolds,
Butler, Loomis, Davis, Phillips, Ruggles, Swan,Ben-
ner, Yale, Babcock, Champlin, Thomas, Adams,
Romeyn, Rider, Morse, Hevenor, Mink, Holdridge,
Hagadorn, and others of the old families.

OLD DEEDS

On page 230 the old deeds, so called, but in fact
leases, are mentioned. From the antiquary collection

Appendix 435

of Edwin Styles, deceased, by the courtesy of his
daughter, Miss Flora N. Styles, the author has re-
ceived an original, and here inserts it verbatim. Miss
Styles also furnished the portrait of Margaret Beekman-
Livingston, which appears on page 26.

BEEKMAN DEED OF 1718

This Indenture Made the twentyth Day of Octo-
ber in the Fifth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign
Lord GEORGE, by the Grace of God of Great Brit-
ain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith,
&c. Annoq: Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred
and Eighteen Beticeen Henry Beekman of Kingstown
in the County of Ulster Gent John Rutsen of Kings-
town aforesaid Gent and Catherine his wife Gilbert
Livingstone of the City of New York rnercht and
Cornelia his wife on the one part and Andreas France
of Rinebeck in the County of Dutchess yeoman on
the other- part.

Witnesseth, That the said Henry Beekman John
Rutsen & Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingstone and
Cornelia his wife For and in Consideration of Ten
Shillings current Money of New York, to them in
hand paid by the said Andreas France at and before
the Ensealing and Delivery of these Presents, (the
Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged) and also in
Consideration of the Rents and Covenants herein
after mentioned and expressed, and which on the
part and behalf of the said Andreas France are and
ought to be paid, done, observed, performed, fullfllled
and kept, and for divers other good Causes and Con-
siderations them the said Henry Beekman John Rut-
sen & Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingstone and
Cornelia his wife hereunto Moving, They the said
Henry Beekman John Rutsen Catherine his wife Gil=

J

434 Historic Old Rhinebeck

bert Livingstone and Cornelia his wife Have Given7
Granted, Bargained, Sold, Aliened, Released, En-
feoffed and Confirmed, AND by these Presents DO
Fully, clearly and absolutely Give, Grant, Bargain,
Sell, Alien, Release, En feoff and Confirm unto the said
Andreas France All That Certain Track t of land or
farm Scituate lying and being at Rinebeck in County
of Dutchess Eastward there from Hudsons River
within the Bound of the patent formerly granted to
Henry Beekman deceased Father of the said Henry
Beekman, Esq., to these prsents, beginning at a
white Oak tree mark'd with three notches and a
Cross on ye South East side of a small Swamp near
to ye house of said Countryman from thence run-
ning Northwest two chains then Northeast twenty
five chains then at right angles So East thirteen
chains then at right angles Southwest twenty five
chains then at Right angels to ye first Station Eleven
chains the whole being bounded to the northwest
by the Seven Acres of Land laid out for Hendrick
Shearman and the rest of the land of Collonel
Beekman and on all other sides by the said Land
Containing in all thirty two acres and a half To-
gether with all and singular the Ways, Passages,
Waters, Water-Courses, (other than the Erecting
any Mill or Mills thereon) Fishing, Fowling, Profits,
Commons, Feedings, Commodities, Hereditaments
and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said Farm,
Land and Premises, with the Appurtenances belong-
ing, or in anywise appertaining. AND Also Right
of Commonage and Feeding of all Commonable
Beasts and Cattle, and Liberty and cut sufficient
Fire- Wood and Timber in the Common or Waste
Ground of them the said Henry Beekman John Rut-
sen & Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingstone and

Appendix 435

Cornelia his wife for Building and Fencing upon the
said Farm, and for the necessary Firing and Fewel-
ing of him the said Andreas France and Repairing
the House and Fences, when built, and to be used
and imployed within six months after the cutingand
felling thereof, on the herein before granted Prem-
ises, with the Appurtenances, Only, and not else-
where, and to and for no other use or purpose what-
soever. AND Also, All the Estate, Right, Title,
Claim and Demand of them the said Henry Beek-
man John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gilbert
Livingstone and Cornelia his wife of, in and to the
said Farm, Land and Premises herein before granted,
with the Appurenances, or of, in or to any part or
parcel thereof To Have and to Hold the said Farm,
Land and Premises herein before granted, or meant,
mentioned or intended to be herein before granted,
with their and every of their Appurtenances unto the
said Andreas France his Heirs and Assigns forever,
To the only proper Use and Behoof of him the said
Andreas France his Heirs and Assigns forever.
Yielding and Paying therefor for and during the Space
of Seven Years, to commence from the Date hereof,
unto the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen Cath-
erine his wife Gilbert Livingstone and Cornelia his
wife their Heirs and Assigns, the yearly rent of Two
Couple of Live Fat Hens on the Feast of the Annun-
ciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, commonly called
Lady Day ; And from and after the Expiration of
the Term of Seven Years aforesaid, Then Yielding,
Paying and Delivering yearly, and every year, for-
ever hereafter unto the said Henry Beekman John
Rutsen & Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingstone &
Cornelia his wife their Heirs and Assigns, the yearly
Rent of Two Couple of Fat Live Hens aforesaid, and

436 Historic Old Rhinebeck

also the additional yearly Rent of one peck and a halfe
of good Merchantable Winter Wheat for every Acre
of the said Farm and Land herein before granted,
on the First Day of May, yearly, at such convenient
Store-house or place as the said Henry Beekman
John Rutsen & Catherine his wife Gilbert Living-
stone and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and Assigns
shall, within any part of the said Tract of Land
within which the Premises aforesaid are compre-
hended and exprest, appoint and direct ; The First
Payment thereof to begin and be made the first Day
of May next happening after the Expiration of the
Term of Seven Years, without any manner of De-
duction or Abatement of or for any manner of Taxes,
Charges, Assessments or Impositions whatsoever
imposed or to be imposed upon the said hereby
granted Premises, or any part thereof, or upon the
reserved Rents aforesaid, or upon the said Henry
Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his wife Gil-
bert Livingstone and Cornelia his wife their Heirs
and Assigns, for or in respect thereof, by any Power
or Authority whatsoever. Which said yearly Rent
of Two Couple of Live Fat Hens, and also the addi-
tional yearly Rent of one Peck & a halfe of good
Merchantable Winter Wheat for every Acre of the
said Land hereby granted, the said Andreas France
for himself, his Heirs and Assigns, and for every of
them, doth Covenant, Promise, Grant and Agree, to
and with the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and
Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingstone and Cornelia
his wife their Heirs and Assigns, and to and with
every of them, by these Presents, Well and truly to
Pay and Deliver, or cause to be paid and deliver'd
unto the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen & Cath-
erine his wife Gilbert Livingstone & Cornelia his wife

Appendix 43?

their Heirs and Assigns, at the Days, Times and
Place above in these Presents mentioned and ap-
pointed for payment thereof, and in manner and
form as the same are herein before reserved, accord-
ing to the true Intent and Meaning of these Presents.
Provided Always, and these Presents are upon this
Condition, That if the said yearly Rents of two
Couple of Live Fat Hens, or the additional Rent of
Computed to Twelve bushels of good Merchantable
Winter Wheat, are, or any part thereof, shall be
behind and unpaid, in part or in all, by the space of
Twenty Days next after any the Days before ap-
pointed for payment thereof (being Lawfidly De-
manded) Or if the said Andreas France shall not
observe, keep and perform the several Articles, Cov-
enants and Agreements hereafter particularly ex-
pressed, That then, and in any or either of these
Cases it shall and may be Lawful to and for the said
Henry Beekman John Rutsen & Catherine his wife
Gilbert Livingstone & Cornelia his wife their Heirs
and Assigns into the said Farm, Land and Premises,
or in any part thereof, and in the name of the whole,
wholly to Re-enter, and the same to have again,
retain, repossess and enjoy as in their first and
former Estate, anything in these Presents contained
to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstand-
ing. AND Also, from time to time, when and so
often as the said yearly Rents, or either of them,
shall be behind and unpaid, in part or in all, by the
space of Twenty Days next after the Days and
Times above appointed for the Payment thereof, it
shall and may be lawful to and for the said Henry
Beekman John Rutsen & Catherine his wife Gilbert
Livingstone and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and
Assigns, or any of them, into the said Farm. Land

43b Historic Old Rhinebeck

and Premises hereby Granted, or mentioned to be
granted, or any of them, and into every part, or any
part or parcel thereof, to Enter, and Distrain, and
the Distress and Distresses then and there found and
taken, to lead, drive, chace, take or carry away, im-
pound, detain and keep until the said yearly Rents,
and all Arrearages thereof (if any shall be) unto the
said Henry Beekman John Rutsen & Catherine his
wife Gilbert Livingstone and Cornelia his wife their
Heirs and Assigns be fully paid and satisfied. AND
The said Andreas France for himself, his Heirs and
Assigns, and for every of them, doth Covenant,
Promise, Grant, and Agree to and with the said
Henry Beekman John Rutsen & Catherine his wife
Gilbert Livingstone & Cornelia his wife their Heirs
and Assigns, and to and with every of them, by
these Presents, in manner and form following, viz.
That the said Andreas France his Heirs and Assigns
shall and will, from year to year, and so every year
hereafter, first Offer and give unto the said Henry
Beekman John Rutsen & Catherine his wife Gilbert
Livingstone and Cornelia his wife their Heirs and
Assigns, some or one of them, the pre-emption or
buying, or refusal of buying of all such Grain or
Corn as the said Andreas France his Heirs or Assigns
shall, from year to year, and every year, raise and
have off and from the said Farm, Land and Premises
herein before granted, over and above what the said
Andreas France his Heirs and Assigns shall keep and
preserve for his own use, and which he or they shall
be minded and desirous to Sell and Dispose, AND
Also, That in case he the said Andreas France his
Heirs or Assigns, or any of them, shall at any time
hereafter be minded and desirous to Sell and abso-
lutely to dispose of the said Farm. Land and Prem-

Appendix

Ises herein before granted, or any part thereof, with
the Appurtenances, That then the said Andreas
France his Heirs and Assigns, shall and will first
Offer and give the Pre-emption, buying or purchas-
ing, or refusal of buying and purchasing the same,
unto the said Henry Beekman John Rutsen & Cath-
erine his wife Gilbert Livingstone & Cornelia his wife
their Heirs and Assigns, some or one of them. And
shall and will, from time to time, and at all Times
hereafter, bring and grind all such Grain as the said
Andreas France his Heirs and Assigns shall use in his
and their Family at the Grist-Mill of the said Henry
Beekman his Heirs and Assigns according to the
usual Custom and Usage of a Grist-Mill, in case the
same be in order, and fiting to grind. And Also,
That he the said Andreas France his Heirs and Assigns,
Tenants and Under-Tenants, and every of them,
shall, from time to time, and at all Times here after,
be Subject unto, perform, observe, do and obey all
reasonable Orders, Rules and Agreements as shall at
any time hereafter be made by the Majority of the
Inhabitants of the said Tract of Land of them the
said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his
wife Gilbert Livingstone and Cornelia his wife within
which the Farm, Land and Premises aforesaid,
hereby granted, do lie and are comprehended, for
the regulating, maintaining and keeping up all and
singular the Fences within the Farm, Land and
Premises hereby granted, and preserving the just
Bounds and Limits thereof. And Further, That the
said Andreas France his Heirs and Assigns, nor any
of them, nor any other Person or Persons whatso-
ever, by his or their privity, consent or procurement,
shall not, nor will not, at any Time hereafter, Cut
down or take off and from the Common or Waste

440 Historic Old Rhinebeck

Grounds of them the said Henry Beekman John Rut-
sen & Catherine his wife Gilbert Livingstone and
Cornelia his wife aforesaid, of any other or more
Wood or Timber than what shall be sufficient for,
and shall be actually used for his and their necessary
Building and Repairing of the House, Barn and other
Buildings and Fences on the Farm, Land and Prem-
ises hereby granted, and for his and their necessary
Fuel and Firing, to be burnt, used and spent on the
Premises aforesaid, and for no other use, intent or
purpose whatsoever ; and shall not nor will not Sell,
Dispose or Carry away any Wood, Trees or Timber,
or any Bark of any Tree or Trees off or from the
Common or Waste Ground, but shall use the same in
a,nd about the Buildings and Fences of the said Farm,
Lands and Premises hereby granted, and for Firing
aforesaid, and not else- where or otherwise. And the
said Henry Beekman John Rutsen and Catherine his
wife Gilbert Livingstone & Cornelia his wife for them-
selves, jointly and severally, and for their Heirs and
Assigns, and for every of them respectively, Do and
Doth Covenant, Promise and Agree to and with the
said Andreas France and his Heirs and Assigns, and
to and with every of them, by these Presents, That
he the said Andreas France his Heirs and Assigns,
and every of them, paying the several Rents herein
before mentioned, as the same are herein before Re-
served, and doing, paying, observing, performing,
fulJfilling and keeping all and singular the Grants,
Articles, Clauses, Payments, Conditions, Proviso's
and Agreements herein before mentioned, which on
his and their parts and behalf are and ought to be
paid, done, observed, performed, fullfilled and kept,
Shall or lawfully may peaceably and quietly Have,
Hold. Occupy, Possess and Enjoy all and singular the

Appendix 441

said Farm, Land and Premises herein before men-
tioned to be granted, with their and every of their
Appurtenances, without the lawful Let, Suit,
Trouble, Molestation, Eviction or Hindrance of them
the said Henry Beeknian John Rutsen & Catherine
his wife Gilbert Livingstone and Cornelia his wife or
either of them, their, or either of their Heirs or As-
signs, or any other Person or Persons Claiming, or to
Claim, by, from or under them, any or either of them.
In Witness Whereof the party s first above named
to these prsent Indentures Have set their Hands and
Seals The day and Year first above written.
Henry Beekman [l. s.] Jno. Rutsen [l. s.]
Catharina Rutsen [l. s.] Gil. Livingston [l. s.]
Cornelia Livingston [l. s.]
[Acknowledged before Johannes Hardenbergh
Judge Com. pleas.]

Dutchess County ss Recorded in said County Record
in Lib. B. fol. 124, 125, 126, 127, 128 & 129 And This is
to Certifie That in page 126 Between The 16th & 17th
Lines is Interlined The words (commons ffeedings)
To be read between The words (proffits) and (Com-
modities) ffeb 25:1747.

f> Henry Livingston,

Clerk.

SUPERVISORS AND TOWN CLERKS SINCE 1800

On pages 84 and 85 the names of supervisors and
town clerks before 1800 are given. Since then the fol-
lowing persons have held office : Supervisors — Isaac
Stoutenburgh, Andrew Heermance, Peter Contine,
Jr., David Van Ness, John Cox, Jr., Coert Du Bois,
Christian Schell, Garret Van Keuren, Isaac F. Rus-

442

Historic Old Rhinebeck

sell, Frederick I. Pultz, Henry S. Quitman, Conrad
Ring, John Armstrong, Jr., James A. A. Cowles,
Nicholas B. Van Steen burgh, Moses Ring, Tunis
Wortman, James Monfort, Isaac I. Piatt, Jacob G.
Lambert, Ambrose Wager, James C. McCarty, Wil-
liam H. Brown, John N. Cramer, Richard R. Sy-
lands, Theophilus Nelson, Richard J. Garrettson,
Andrew J. Heermance, Smith Quick, William M.
Sayre, Robert L. Garrettson, Virgil C. Traver, John
O. Ostrom, Joseph H. Baldwin, James H. Kipp, Wil-
liam Bergh Kip, Martin Heermance, Andrew J.
Odell, John C. Milroy, George Esselstyn, John A.
Traver, Mandeville S. Frost. Town clerks — Henry
Shop, Henry F. Tallmadge, Garret Van Keuren,
John Fowkes, Jr., Jacob Heermance, William B.
Piatt, Henry De Lamater, Henry C. Hoag, Conrad
Ring, Stephen A. Du Bois, Henry W. Mink, Tunis
Wortman, George W. Bard, John T. McCarty, Al-
bert A. Rider, Harvey M. Traver, Calvin Jennings,
George H. Ackert, John D. Judson, George W. Ho-
gan, Simon Welch, James A. Monfort, Jacob Ryn-
ders, Edward Brooks, William H. Sipperly, William
H. Hevenor, Jacob H. Potten burgh. Forty-two dif-
ferent persons have held the office of supervisor
during the one hundred and eight years, and twenty,
seven persons the office of town clerk. The present
incumbent of the latter office, Jacob H. Pottenburgh,
has served for thirty-two years. Many of the super-
visors served several terms.

REMARKS

A few words of explanation will perhaps be ex-
pected and we trust appreciated. In size this book

Appendix 443

has reached over one hundred pages more than was
intended, yet space has proved inadequate to insert
all that was desired. This is the reason for omis-
sions. They could not be avoided. Actual count
shows four hundred and seventy-two printed pages.
The portraits of noted men and women identified
with "ye olde town "is compensatory. The galaxy
is certainly a valuable collection. The faces recall
the past vividly.

The fact that names and words are spelled differ-
ently, and by present standard perhaps, incorrectly
in many places, is apparent. This was necessary.
In copying records, old papers, etc., the wording and
spelling as found therein were strictly followed. The
old style may appear queer, and is often quaint, but
it was the way the old people did it. Any change
would have impaired its value. It is gratifying that
there is so much to tell about Rhinebeck and its peo-
ple. The only regret is the inability to tell it all.

INDEX

The index system adopted is very simple. Any
subject, name or place, can be readily found. Each
•chapter is indexed in its heading. Illustrations and
appendix have separate index pages. Cross-refer-
ences run through the chapters. As to subjects the
plan is made plain by stating that under " Churches "
all are covered. Under " Names " the same. This
general plan will enable the reader to quickly find
any special matter sought.

Academy, 217-18.
Ackert, Alfred T., 199, 230,

244,818; portrait, 294.
Advertisements, 15, 68, 69,
85,87,319, 334-5-6-41.
Amusements, 348.
Ankony, 6, 8.

(See Appendix, B, C, E. )
Armstrong, Gen. John, 98.

John. Jr., 89, 98.
Artsen, 2, 7, 10, 11,16, 20.

(See Appendix, A,C,E.)
Astor, William. B., 13, 98.

William, 336-7-43, 400-1.

Caroline W. S., 401.

Col. John Jacob, 401.

Portrait, 282.

Bake-kettle,346'; bees, 347.
Baker, Dr. B. N., 280, 368.
Baldwin, Capt. J. H., 62,

276, 336.
Banks, 294, 297.
Barges, 828; Berghs, 101.
Bear market, 226.
Beatty, John, 33, 40.
Beekman, 18 to 30.

Beekman Survey, 23, 220-1.
Portraits, Sr. and Jr., 98.
Residence, Jr., 26, 396.
Mills, 22,56; dock, 24, 63.
Reference to, 83 to 41,
47-9, 67 to 72, 79,80,88,
138, 229, 239, 265.
(See chapter VIII; also
Appendix.)
Benner, John, 183, 241, 278.
Benson, Egbert, 99; por-
trait, 282.
Billings, Josh, cited, 36-8.
Blithewood Light In -

fan try, 384.
Bogardus, Evert, 14, 52.
Everardus, 14, 229, 253-

4-5, 273.
Reference to, 16, 103-4",
144,241. 259,325.
Bowery, 137; house, 291.
Burr, Aaron, 92-3.
Business men, 315.

Problems, 292.
Buttermilk falls, 54.

Camp-meeting woods, 231.

444

Index

445

Carroll, Wm.,280; portrait,
276.

Caste,349-50; cave,3,226-7.

Cemeteries, 109, 115, 138,
147, 863-9.
St. Joseph's, 374.

Census. 82, 85.

Church lands, 136 to 138.

Churches, 106 ; German
Union, 106 ; Reformed,
107; "Stone," 114-123;
" Old Dutch," 123-145 ;
AY urtemburgh, 145-
152; Methodist, 152-
171 ; burning, 304-307 ;
new, 307-309 ; Baptist,
171-183 ; village Luth-
eran, 183-186 ; Episco-
pal, 187-194; Hillside
and Rhinecliff, 194-6;
Catholic, 196-8.

Civil war, 358 to 360.

Clifton Point, 399.

Clinton, 7, 95, 147,236.

Coenties Slip, 52.

Colonial times, 344 to 355.

Colored people, 84, 103-5,
159, 351-5.

Company C, 128th N. Y.
V., 358, 362; F, K, B,
150th N. Y. V., 358-9.

Cooper, J. Fenimore, 7.
Dr. Ananias, 33, 88, 254,
310.

Cowles, 103. 224.

Cramer, 34, 58, 269, 271 , 328.
John N.,60, 244, 395,411;
portrait, 276.

Crosby, Ernest H., 396;
portrait, 396.

Crystal lake, 54.

Darling, Capt. N., 288.

De Hart, Capt., 286 to 289.
Horse, 289-90.

De Lamater, Henry, 113,
259, 282, 294, 364 ; por-
trait, 294.

De Peyster, Gen. J. W.,
288.

De Witt, 21, 114, 321-2.

Deeds, 6, 21-2-5-H, 32, 48,
107-8-9, 114, 121, 124
to 127, 136, 147, 154.
(See chaps. VIII and
XVIII ; also Appen-
dix.)

Docks, 7, 61,224,370.

Doctors, 87-8, 309-10-11.

Donation parties, 142.

Doyle, 58; Dueis, 28,97.

Drury's, 92, 277-8, 283, 316,

Du Bois, 14, 100, 114,276-7.

Ehlers, Louis A., 337, 399.
Elmendorf, 52, 65.
Ellerslie, 12, 399.
Elton, 2, 4,10,12, 16,20,55.
Esselstyn, Geo., 313, 368r
379, 383.

Ferry, 63, 65, 327, 370-1.

Fire department, 385.

Fires. 169,278.

Flatts, 26, 56, 124-8-9, 135.

Fox hollow, 57.

Fulton, Peter M., 212;

portrait, 396.
Furniture, 293, 349.

Garrettson, 97, 399.

Miss Mary, 168,398.
General training, 286.
Glenburn, 402.
Gold farms, 234.
Grand Army post, 361-2.
Grasmere, 29, 238, 396.

446

Historic Old Rhinebeck

Grove, the, 29, 93, 397.

Hart wick Seminary, 121.
Heermance, 6, 12, 62, 80.
Hemlocks, 403.
High school, 216.
Highways, 66 to 78.
Hill, Edwin, 277,294, 366;

portrait, 396.
Hoffman, 99.
Hog bridge, 4, 26.
Holiday farm, 302.
Home supplies, 232.
Hyde Park, 95.

Indian deeds, 4.

Names, 3, 4, 31-2.

(See Appendix.)
Inn, 218, 263.

James, Augustus, 397.
John, not Thomas, 242.
Judson,N. W. II., 190,277,
281,294; portrait, 300.
Justices, 86, 273.

Kelly,* Win, 180, 244, 260,
294-7, 399; portrait, 300.
Kip, 2, 5, 8, 34, 65, 134, 247.
Win. Bergh, portrait, 396.
Kipp, James H., 230, 244.
Kipsbergen, 6, 37, 61, 80-1.
Kipskill, 54.

Kirchehoek, 36, 106, 220.
Knights of Pythias, 382-4.
Kockerthal, Kev.,43, 47.

Landsman, Casper, 25.

Kill, 53-4.
La Fayette, 241.
Lawyers, 312.
Leacote, 403.
Leather, 347.

Lewis, Morgan, 56, 92, 96 ;
portrait, 96.

Lin wood, 57, 397.
Livingston, Margaret
Beekman, 26-7.
Robert R., 27, 99; Ed-
ward, 96 ; portraits, 96.
Henry B., 58,88 to 90.
Peter R., 59 ; Francis A.,
312; Lewis H.,29, 238.
Locust trees, 228.
Lynch, Judge James, 97.

McCarty, James C. , 58, 192,
288, 313, 378-9; por-
trait, 300.

Mansakenning, 31-2.

Marked tree, 231.

Maps, 13, 24, 221-70-74.

Marquardt, Conrad, 299,
337 ; portrait, 276.

Mars halls, 57.

Masons, 255, 375, 378-9.

Ministers, 316. (See chap-
ter VIII.)

Mechanics, 50, 91-2, 220,
223,264,270-1-3-5 to 283.

Memorial building, 373.
Organ, 193, 374.

M e re h a n t s , 224 , 2: }3 , 264-83 .

Merritt, Douglas, 403.

Milan, 74, 95, 328.

Militia, the, 227.

Mill men, 55 to 61.

Mills, 55 to 61.

Miller, Dr. Geo. N., 29, 223,
285-6, 397.
Wm. Starr, 402.
Mrs. Mary R., 299.

Monterey, 103.

Montgomery, Gen., 29, 56,
96 ; portrait, 96.

Morse, Cyrus B., 192, 275,
377-9; portrait, 276.
Howard II., 206, 336, 358,
378; portrait, 1.

Index

44'

Morton, Levi P., 262, 378-4,

400 ; portrait, 282.
Mt. Rutsen, 74, 167.

Names, 16,28,31, 42,51.
(Nearly every page men-
tions persons by name)

Nelson. Dr. T., 278, 310-11 ;
portrait, 294.

Newspapers, 314.

Odd Fellows, 376-8.
Officers. 80 to 87.

(See Appendix.)
Old houses, 6 to 10, 266 to
209; deeds, 230.
GravesT431-2;sleigh,351.
Hotel, 91, 93, 289-41, 249
to 268; ovens, 346.
Ostrom, JohnG., 281, 293,
299, 337 ; portrait, 276.

Palatine settlers, 42 to 51.
Partition of land, 6, 13,
220-1.

Patrons of Husbandry,
379-80.

Pawlings, 19.

Peddler, 77, 347.

Pewholders, 129, 140.

Pink's corner, 86.

Piatt, William B., 62. 108,
163, 257, 259, 282, 294,
858, 895; portrait, 294.

Politics, 242-3-4.

Postmasters, 395-6.

Postoffice, 68, 282. 299.

Potters, 98, 251, 255, 259.

Pump, the town, 94, 272.

Pultz, Peter, 291.

Quick, Smith, portrait, 276.
AdolphusF.,138.
Augustus!!., 138.378,385.

Quicks, 59, 138.

Quitman, Gen. John A., 102.

Radcliffe, Jacob, 99; por-
trait, 282.

Radcliffes, 7, 99.

Rut sens, 28, 56.

Relics, 344.

Revolutionary soldiers,
228-9.

Rhinecliff, 370, 374.

Rider, Albert A., 395-6.
John P., 897.

Rikert, R. Raymond, 285.

Rokeby, 404.

Roosa, 2, 4, 10. 12, 16, 19,
20, 55.

Ruppert, Jacob, 78, 397.

Saltford, Geo., 387.
Schell, Robt., portrait, 282.

Walter AV., 885.
Schells, 58, 62, 101.
Scholars, 172-3, 217.
Schools, 164,167, 199 to 218.
Schuyler, Col. P., 99; por-
trait, 282.
Schuylers, 8,11.20-7-8-9.
Schryver, Jno. T., 184, 276.
Sepasco, 8; Indians, 3.

Trails, 66, 251.
Sexton, 348.
Shoemaker, the, 347.
Slate quarry, 236-8.
Slavery, 84. 351 to 355.
Sloops, 15, 24, 42. 52,61.
Smith. Ed. M., 25, 38, 141.
314, 431; portrait, 8(H).
Soldiers' monument, 357.
Spanish - American war,

360-1.
Spinning wheels, 346-8.
Staatsburgh, 19, 20.
Starr Institute, 299.

448

Historic Old Rhinebeck

Stages, 281, 317 to 324.
Steen Valet je, 19, 21.
Street opening, 303-4.
Stonecrest, 423.
Styles, 58, 174, 178.

Edwin, portrait, 300.
Suckleys, 28-9.

Eutsen, 167, 188, 275.

Thomas H., 167.

Kobert B., 29, 404.
Suydam, Rev. Dr. J. H.,
74,144-5; portrait, 396.

Tammany Hall, 90, 93,376.
Taverns, 63, 81,90, 93, 137,

219, 245 to 249, 320.
Teachers, 205, 217.
Texas, 103.

Thomson, Wm., 366-8.
Thompson home, 185, 301,

302.
Tillotsons, 12, 28, 57, 97,

104, 135, 139, 140, 161.
Toll-gate, 75 ; rates, 77.
Tomlinson.Dr. David, 310-

11, 432.
Town hall, 298-9.
Traphagens, 25, 34, 81, 91.
Traveling in 1766, 229.
Traver, Virgil C, 298, 338,

366 ; portrait, 300.
John A., portrait, 396.
Rev. Chester H., 316.
Rev. Dr. J. G., 121.
Augustus M., 298, 338-

40.

Traver, Thaddeus A., 298.
Tremper, Geo., 138, 395.

Uhls, 72, 293.

Ulster and S. Turnpike, 75.

Union Iron Works, 275.

Van Cortlandt, 27.
Van Ettens, 12, 91, 132.
Van Keurens,123, 313-429.
Garret, 259; portrait.294.
Van Steenberghs,33,87,92.
Van Vredenburghs, 12.
Van Wagenens, 11, 34,70,

81, 86, 132, 153.
Vanderburghs, 397, 403.
Veitch, Geo., 190,197,371-2.
Village, 264 to 316.
Violets, 387-93.

Wager, Ambrose, 145, 187,
207, 260, 281, 313, 333,
376,379; portrait, 294.

Wainwrights, 187, 403.

Washington, 97, 104, 398.

Water Company, 285.

White corner, 258, 282-3.

Wild, Alfred, 275, 333, 397.

Wortman, Tunis, 93, 240-2.

Wynkoops, 14, 87, 337.

Young Men's Christian
Association, 301.

Zabriskie, Capt. And. C,

384-5.

Note. — Many family names occur so often between
pages 1 and 444 that reference to each page was
inadvisable.

DEC

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